Giving Some Money to the Girl’s Father at the Time of the Nikah

Question

When the nikah has been concluded, the boy’s guardian (wali) gives the girl’s guardian two or three rupees, which in our parts is called an “offering”. Is this too included in bribery (rishwa), or does it have some other ruling?

Answer

This is a bribe; taking and giving it is not correct. [ar]أخذ أهل المرأة شيئًا عند التسليم فللزوج أن يسترده لأنه رشوة. الدر المختار. أي بأن أبى أن يسلمها أخوها أو نحوه حتى يأخذ شيئًا. اهـ[/ar] “If the woman’s family took something at the handing over, the husband may reclaim it, because it is a bribe” (al-Durr al-Mukhtar)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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