An Increased Mahr Set after Describing Qualities the Woman Did Not Have

Question

Some people married Zayd to Hinda for a mahr of four thousand by describing Hinda’s qualities, but Hinda does not have those qualities at all. The mahr of four thousand too was accepted because of people’s urging, although Zayd’s means do not stretch to four thousand. Can it now be determined anew? If mahr al-mithl (the customary dower) is made the standard and it exceeds Zayd’s means, what will the ruling be?

Answer

Whatever mahr the nikah was accepted on, that same mahr has become binding — whether he accepted it of his own desire or at the urging of others, and whether he likes the wife or not. In this case mahr al-mithl will not be made the standard.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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