Fatwa ID: 01838

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

In Pakistan (or atleast my case), "haq e mehar" is not given to the woman before "Rukhsati" (as far as i know). What if the husband dies after marriage? As a son of my father, should I pay my mother on behalf of my father the 'mehar' that was decided? My father passed away 2 years back.  A person told me to do this. It seems logical to me, but I thought I better consult it.

Answer:

The mahr is one of the rights of the wife and the husband gives it at the time of the marriage ceremony.

Allah in the Holy Quran has said “And give the women their dower in good cheer”.  (Surah Nisaa v.4)

Mahr is obligatory.  Allah  has used the word “faridah” for it.  It means something is fixed, decided and obligatory.  It is compulsory for the husband to pay for the mahr unless the wife by her own will and without any pressure forgives the husband in paying for it. (Mazahirul Haqq p.104 v.4)

The amount of mahr becomes obligatory for the husband to give after consummating the marriage or at the time of one of the spouses passing away. (Sharhul Wiqayaah p.31 v.2)

Regarding your question, if your father did not pay your mothers dowry then that amount has to be deducted from his estate at the time of his death. If his estate or property has been distributed already then each of the heir would have to give the dowry according to the proportion of what they received.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham