Download - University of Salford Institutional Repository

Dowry in Islam. is the wife's right and she can use it in any
way she likes : she can return it or leave it. She can even refuse
to consummate her marriage until she has it all. And, the wife's
guardian is not allowed to take anything from her dowry unless she
chooses to give it to him, as she can also choose to give the husband
some which was different from the custom during the pre-Islamic period.
As the Qurlan lays stress on that in this verse:
"But if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any
part of it toyou, take it and enjoy it with good
cheer. " 1
So this is considered to be one of the things which Islam has
changed to benefit the woman and to protect her rights. "Once the
marriage contract is validated, the dowry becomes the woman's own
property. However, before the marriage is consummated. it is
liable to withdrawal either completely or partly, but if the woman
has down anything (before such withdrawal) such as selling or
pawning her dowry, the action will have to be respected and considered
valid. " 2
Amount of Dowry according to Islam
As stated earlier, Islam considers dowry asa present or gift from
the bridegroom to the bride. Accordingly, there is no particular
amount specified for dowry, which is determined according to economic
and social standards. A husband of fers what he can af ford, depending
on hisýeconomic ability,
However, 'Islamic scholars differed regarding the minimum dowry;
aI ccording to Wrd bin Jubair, the minimum dowry shall be 50 dirhams
others are of the opinion that it should be 40 dirham and there is
1. Q. j, ' 4
2. lazik%f, Vol. 4, op. cit. . P. 136
90