The son-in-law demands a large dowry at the bride’s send-off: is it right to demand tafriq?

Question

Question: Banu’s parents and the people of the neighbourhood are displeased with Bakr because of his actions contrary to the Shari‘a. Bakr sent proposals to many places for his son’s marriage, but no one agreed. In the end, at the insistence of the respected Hajji Sharif, Banu’s nikah was contracted with Bakr’s son Zayd. But Bakr, his son Zayd and others were demanding so many things in the dowry — for example a watch, a radio, a bicycle, a sofa set, etc.

Answer

This conduct of Zayd has fallen below decency, indeed below humanity. His demand is utterly wrong: it is a bribe (rishwa), it is haram. If he does not desist from his demand, a petition should be submitted to the court of a Muslim ruler. The court is to summon him and have this wrong demand dropped, or have him give talaq, or arrange khul‘ (divorce for compensation)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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