What Are A Woman’s Rights Over Mahr And Gifts Post-Divorce?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
After my husband divorced me and later returned my mahr and furniture upon request, is it permissible for me to use them?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
If you mean by mahr the traditional dowry, jahez, or dahej as it is known in South Asian countries, then it is permissible to take back the items.
Dowry (Jahez or Dahej) and Marriage Payment (Mahr)
This link has a detailed answer explaining the difference between marriage payment (mahr) and traditional dowry, or jahez or dahej as it is known. See the link below.
Gifted Items to Fatima
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) gave his beloved daughter a silver bracelet, two Yemeni sheets, four mattresses, one blanket, one pillow, one cup, one hand-grinding mill, one bedstead, a small water skin, and a leather pitcher. [Ahmad; San‘ani, Musannaf al-Abd al-Razzaq]
It is clear from the above that the gifts given by the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) consisted of basic, essential items delivered straightforwardly. These gifts were not extravagant or beyond one’s means.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
- Does Dowry Being Exchanged Behind my Back affect the Validity of Marriage?
- mahr Archives
- Dowry Among Muslims in India
- Is it Permissible to Keep Customary Gift Money in Traditions at Wedding Events?
- A Guide to Marriage: SeekersGuidance Reader
- The Elements of Meaningful Marriage Contracts
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum or the Youth Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
