Requesting a share in a business as Mahr

Question:-

Can one ask for a share in the groom’s business as Mahr?

Answer:-

Nikah takes place with a proposal from one party, and acceptance from the other party. Payment of Mahr (dowry) is also from amongst the fundamental aspects of Nikah in the sense that payment of Mahr is Waajib[1]. However, the bride or her family should not demand exorbitant amounts of Mahr as understood from the narration of Abu Dawood Sharif:

عن ابي العجفاء السلمي، قال خطبنا عمر فقال الا لا تغالوا بصدق النسا (أبو داود)

Umar Radiallahu Anhu addressed us saying, do not exaggerate, or do not make the Mahr of women expensive (whereby it becomes unaffordable).

The Kitaabs of Fiqh state that one may request a portion of the groom’s home (or business) as Mahr. However, the portion of the business which will be given in Mahr (to the wife) such as, the stock and fixture and fittings, must be made available to her. She may then enact a partnership with the groom. Alternatively, a sum of money equivalent to the share requested by the wife should be given to her in Mahr. She may then use the funds to purchase a share in the groom’s business.

وفي المنتقي أيضا: عن ابي حنيفة رحمه الله تعالي: إذا تزوجها بنصيبه من هذه الدار، فلها الخيار ان شاءت اخذت النصيب، وان شاءت اخذت مهر المثل، لا يجاوز به قيمة الدار (المحيط البرهاني ج٤ ص١٢٣)

[1] ثم عرف المهر في العناية اسم للمال الذي يجب في عقد النكاح علي الزوج في مقابلة البضع (شامي ج٤ ص٢٣٠)

ثُمَّ يُقَالُ وَالْمَهْرُ وَاجِبٌ شَرْعًا لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى {أَنْ تَبْتَغُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ} [النساء: 24] كَمَا فَعَلَ صَاحِبُ الْكَافِي  (درر الحكام ص341 ج1)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Ahmed Saeed

Date: 29 Shabaan 1444 / 22 March 2023