Question:
I’ve heard of an initial mahr and a “delayed” portion by some families. What is that delayed portion? Is it cultural as part of mahr or is it the amount in case of a divorce or something?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ʿAlaykum Wa-Raḥmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh
There is a common misconception among some Muslims that the mahr must be divided into an immediate portion and a deferred portion, with the deferred portion becoming payable only upon divorce or the husband’s death. This understanding is incorrect.
The Sharīʿah does not require the mahr to be structured in this manner. Rather, the spouses may mutually agree that the mahr be paid entirely upfront, entirely deferred, or divided into both an immediate and a deferred portion.
This flexibility is one of the concessions granted by the Sharīʿah to facilitate marriage and alleviate financial hardship.[1]
And Allah Taʿāla Knows Best.
Baba Abu Bakr
Student –Darul Iftaa
Accra, Ghana
Checked and Approved by
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai
