Chapter on the Dower

Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

The Sunnah is to keep the dower modest and not exceed the amounts given to the Prophet’s wives and daughters. ‘Ā’isha—may Allah be pleased with her—reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The most blessed women are those who occasion the least expense.”

Ibn ‘Abbās reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The best of them are those whose dowers are easiest to afford.”

Al-Hasan al-Basrī reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Marry women to men, and do not demand excessive dowers.”

‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb addressed the people, saying:

“Do not demand excessive dowers for women. If this were an honour in this world or an act of piety before Allah, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would have been the most entitled to it. He never gave any of his wives, nor was any of his daughters given, a dower exceeding twelve ūqiyyas.”

Al-Tirmidhī said: “An authentic hadith.”

It is disliked for a man to agree to a dower that would cause him financial hardship if paid outright, or that he would be unable to discharge if left as a debt.

Abū Hurayra said:

“A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said: