The Mahr is an obligatory bridal gift paid by the groom to the bride in an Islamic marriage. While the mahr is often money, it can also be anything agreed upon by the bride such as jewellery, home goods, furniture, a dwelling, or some land. The word mahr is related to the Hebrew word and the Syriac word "mahrā", meaning “bridal gift”, which originally meant “purchase-money”.

Allah says in the Quran:

“And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart” al-Nisa’ 4:4]

This does not mean that the woman is a product to be sold, rather it is a symbol of honour and respect, and a sign that the husband is willing to shoulder his responsibilities and fulfil his duties.
According to Islamic teachings in the hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH), mahr is the amount to be paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage, some of which may be delayed according to what is agreed upon by the spouses. The mahr is for her to spend as she wishes. It can be cash, jewellery, or any other valuable gift.

In some cases, per Sahih al-Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 62, Number 72), even an iron ring can be mahr

Men and women both should take the responsibility while dealing with Mahr. Without the giving of the mahr the marriage is not valid. The mahr does not need to be given or even specified before the marriage contract however it must be given and the best time to give is at the time of Nikah. The mahr cannot be taken away from the woman once the sexual relationship has been consummated. If the relationship has not been consummated, then half of the mahr should be given, as is stipulated by the Qur'an:
"And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have appointed for them a portion, then (pay to them) half of what you have appointed" - chapter 2:237
In one of the Narration, Al-Hafiz Abu Ya'la recorded that Masruq said, "Umar bin Al-Khattab stood up on the Minbar of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, 'O people! Why do you exaggerate concerning the dowry given to women? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions used to pay up to four hundred Dirhams for a dowry, or less than that. Had paying more for a dowry been a part of Taqwa or an honour, you would not have led them in this practice. Therefore, I do not want to hear about a man who pays more than four hundred Dirhams for a dowry.' He then went down the Minbar, but a woman from Quraysh said to him, 'O Leader of the Faithful! You prohibited people from paying more than four hundred Dirhams in a dowry for women?' He said, 'Yes.' She said, 'Have you not heard what Allah sent down in the Qur'an?' He said, 'Which part of it?' She said, 'Have you not heard Allah's statement,
(And you have given one of them a Qintar)?' He said, 'O Allah! Forgive me...' He then went back and stood up on the Minbar saying, 'I had prohibited you from paying more than four hundred Dirhams in a dowry for women. So, let everyone pay what he likes from his money.'"
In return for the mahr, the woman gives herself to her husband in the Islamic marriage contract. Her obedience to him is mandatory and Mahr is received as compensation for making herself available to her husband. Now it is clear mahr is an obligation in Islam which has to be paid by the husband as per his financial status. One can give 10 lakhs INR, 20 lakhs INR or someone can give only 1 lakh, it entirely depends upon the earnings of his husband.
It has been mentioned in multiple narrations that Mahr can be given as per financial status of a groom as it should not be a burden to a man. ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best marriage is one that is easiest.” If we decipher this hadith, the easiest marriage is the one in which there is less wastage and no show-off in terms of Mahr. It is not right as per the Shariah to fix more mahr only to boast and for show or with the intention of not paying it. Now the question is who decides the Mahr?
The agreement of the Mahr specifies the kind and the amount of the Mahr that the husband is ready to gift to his wife. such an agreement is generally made between the husband and the wali (Guardian) of the bride. The amount of dowry should be in accordance with the financial position of the husband. This means, that the money given as Mahr should not impose a financial burden on the husband.
Islam does not set up any fixed upper limit on the amount of Mahr. However, this does not mean that the bride or her wali can demand any unreasonable big amount of money. Islam recommends that the amount of Mahr should be made affordable and easy on the husband, Something that he would be happily and readily give to her wife. If there is a Mahr that is a burden on husband, it might be a bad omen of a miserable or non-compassionate Nikah.
Some guardians and brides exaggerate concerning the mahr, and demand huge Mahr which a young man who wants to get married cannot afford, until marriage becomes something extremely difficult for many of those who want to get married. (To Be Continued

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