As for the kinds of dowry that may be stipulated: anything that may lawfully serve as a sale price, a rental payment, or an assessed value may likewise serve as a dowry—whether it is a tangible object, an immediate or deferred debt, or a clearly defined benefit. This demonstrates that the Law seeks to make the dowry easy to arrange, in keeping with people’s circumstances, so that marriage itself—on which immense benefits for individuals and communities depend—is facilitated.

The following are some key rulings connected to the dowry:

First: The dowry is the woman’s exclusive property; her guardian has no share in it unless she gladly gives him something of her own accord. Allah says, “And give the women their bridal gifts graciously” (4:4). As for her father in particular, he may take from her dowry—without her permission—what does not harm her and of which she has no need, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “You and your wealth belong to your father.”

Second: The wife’s ownership of the dowry begins with the conclusion of the contract, just as in a sale. It becomes fully settled by consummation, by lawful seclusion, or by the death of either spouse.

Third: If the husband divorces her before consummation or seclusion, after having specified a dowry, she is entitled to half of it, for Allah says, “If you divorce them before you have touched them, while you have already fixed for them a bridal gift, then half of what you have fixed is due” (2:237). In other words, half belongs to him and half to her. Thus, upon divorce each owns half. Should either party waive his or her share—and both have the right of disposal—the waiver is valid, as Allah says, “Unless they—for the women—waive it, or he in whose hand is the marriage tie waives it” (2:237). The verse then encourages such forbearance: “And that you should forgo is nearer to righteousness; and do not forget graciousness between you” (2:237).