Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
9. Dowry
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rather than the guidelines of Islam. One
manifestation of such a misguided practice is the
fixing of heavy dowers — much in vogue in the
brides’ families, as this is regarded as safeguarding
the girls’ interests. In this regard the
Dictionary of
Islam says:
The custom of fixing heavy dowers, generally
beyond the husband’s means, especially in
India, seems to be based upon the intention of
checking the husband from ill-treating his
wife, and, above all, from his marrying
another woman, as also from wrongfully or
causelessly divorcing the former. For in the
case of divorce the woman can demand the
full payment of the dower.
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The fixing of a substantial dower for the above
purposes rests on the supposition that the dower
has to be fixed at the time of marriage, but not
handed over on that occasion. This gives it a
“deterrent” value, which it could not otherwise
have, i.e. if it was immediately paid.
This supposition is quite un-Islamic. As mentioned
above there are only two lawful forms of dower in
