Saudi riyals. This, then, is the amount at which the dower should be set. If we make it five hundred, we add twenty-eight, bringing it to one hundred and forty. This is the highest amount the dower should be, and it is the sunnah. Nowadays, however, it reaches seventy thousand, apart from the other expenses.

Second: It is reported from the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him—although there is some weakness in its chain of transmission: “The women of greatest blessing are those whose expenses are easiest.” (1) He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: “Seek it, even if only an iron ring.” (2)

Third: Sound reasoning calls for making matters easy, because facilitating dowers is a means to more marriages. A greater number of marriages is among the matters sought by the Sacred Law, due to the increase it brings and the realization of the Prophet’s pride in the size of his community, peace and blessings be upon him, as well as many other benefits.

Fourth: When a man marries a woman for a modest dower, he will not come to resent her. This differs from a woman who has cost him an exorbitant sum: no matter how many reasons he may have to love her, whenever he remembers the financial burden imposed on him, he will feel some resentment within himself. Thus, this is among the causes of affection between spouses.

Fifth: If the dower is modest and the spouses do not find harmony with one another, it will be easy for the husband to part from her if their life together becomes unpleasant, since he has not lost a great deal on her.