BOOK OF THE BRIDAL GIFT

Introduction

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BOOK OF THE BRIDAL GIFT

535—It should be kept modest.

Aisha was asked, “How much was the Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) bridal gift?” She replied, “His bridal gift to his wives was twelve ūqiyyahs and one nashsh. Do you know what a nashsh is?” I said, “No.” She said, “Half an ūqiyyah, making a total of five hundred dirhams.” Narrated by Muslim1.

536—He emancipated Safiyya and made her emancipation her bridal gift. Agreed upon2.

537—He said to a man, “Find something, even if only an iron ring.” Agreed upon3. Thus, anything that may validly serve as a price or remuneration—even if of little value—may validly serve as a bridal gift4.

538—If he marries her without specifying a bridal gift, she is entitled to the bridal gift customarily given to women of comparable standing.

539—If he divorces her before consummation, she is entitled to a parting gift: the man of ample means according to his means, and the man of limited means5 according to his means,