Woman Between Islam and Western Society
9. Dowry
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A WRONG CUSTOM
In modern times the Islamic spirit has almost
vanished from the responsibilities connected with
the arranging and performing of a marriage.
Muslims nowadays prefer to follow local custom
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
