An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
9. Manners In Society
~ 213 ~
you decide to take one wife in place of another, do
not take from her the dowry you have given her, even
if it be a talent of gold.” (4:20) Umar’s immediate
reaction on hearing this was to say: “A woman has
quarrelled with Umar and has bested him.”
According to another account, Umar said, “May
God forgive me. Everyone knows better than Umar.
Even this old woman.”
Umar returned to the pulpit. Addressing the
people, he withdrew the restriction he had
previously imposed on dowries. It was for
individuals to decide how much was to be given.
But he tempered this permission with the
admonition that if large dowries were a sign of
honour and eminence, the Prophet would have
been the first to give his approval to them, whereas,
in fact, he gave only up to four hundred dirhams.
(AHMAD, AL-TIRMIDHI)
Note:
5. The dowry or settlement of money or property
on the wife, without which marraige is not legal.
