What is the minimum and maximum amount of mahr?

Question

Is there a specified amount which must be given as mahr according to Shari’ah? What is the minimum amount of mahr and what is the preferred amount? What is the maximum amount of mahr? Is it permissible to postpone the payment of the mahr, whether entirely or partially, until after the marriage?

Answer

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا و مصليا و مسلما

You have asked four questions and their answers are as follows:

  1. Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says, that Rasulullah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There is no mahr less than ten dirhams.” (Bayhaqi). Presently, 10 dirhams is equivalent to approximately one troy ounce of silver (0.9873 troy oz) or its monetary value.
  2. The preferred amount of mahr is that which the Holy Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) had stipulated for his daughter, Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her), upon her marriage with Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Her mahr, which is known as mahr fatimi, was 500 dirhams, which amounts to approximately 50 troy ounces of silver (49.38570 troy oz) or its monetary value.
  3. There is no maximum amount set by the shari’a; so whatever is agreed upon between the couple is acceptable. However, the mahr should not be such a large amount which becomes a burden upon the husband. Sayyidina Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Do not make the mahr excessively high.” (Tirmizi) Therefore, the mahr should be set to such a price that the husband will have the capability of paying.
  4. It is permissible to stipulate a certain amount of money for mahr and decide for a portion of it to be paid at the time of the marriage and the rest to be paid later on. This is occasionally done when it is difficult for the entire sum to be paid at one time. 

والله اعلم

And Allah Knows best.

Approved by: Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani