Chapter on the Ṣadāq (bridal dower)

The ṣadāq is the consideration stipulated in the marriage contract—or afterward—for the wife, in return for the husband’s lawful consummation of the marriage. It is known by several names and pronounced in a number of dialectal forms.

Its legitimacy is established by the Qur’an, the Sunnah, scholarly consensus, and analogical reasoning.
• Qur’an: “Give the women their bridal gifts graciously” (Q 4:4), and similar verses.
• Sunnah: through the Prophet’s practice, approval, and command, as in his words, “Seek something to give her, even if only a ring of iron.”

The scholars unanimously agree on its prescription because the textual evidence is abundant. Analogy likewise requires it, for lawful sexual access is obtained only through marriage, and such access must be compensated.

The Sacred Law has fixed neither a maximum nor a minimum for the dower, yet lightening it is recommended, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “The most blessed women are those whose costs are the least.” The Five Compilers narrate from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never gave any of his wives, nor was any of his daughters given, a dower greater than twelve uqiyyahs.”

Public welfare also calls for reducing dowries, for that brings great benefit to the spouses and to society. How many women remain unmarried, and how many young men remain without wives, because dowries and wedding expenses have been driven to the limits of extravagance and waste! When both sexes sit without marriage, they are propelled toward indecency and wrongdoing. Countless social, moral, and financial ills have arisen from this excess.

Now that matters have reached the level we see and hear, we hold that governments must intervene to resolve this crisis and oblige people to follow just and upright procedures. Allah is the Guardian of success.