What is "ujoorahunna" and when is it to be given?
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Peace be upon you all.
I have been thinking lately about the concept of dowry/dower.
When me and my wife were planning to get married I was not in the best of financial positions and at that time we understood that it was acceptable for me to write a dower specifying an sum of money to be paid to my wife in case of divorce.
Looking back at this I do not see any Qur'anic basis for this practice, but I would like to know what everyone thinks the "bridal reward/gift" could be if the husband to be does not have a significant sum of money to give. Also, based on the verses of the Qur'an (e.g. 424), it appears to me now that the "gift", whatever it may be, must be given up front before the actual marriage is consummated.
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
May God increase our knowledge.
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Peace be upon you all.
I have been thinking lately about the concept of dowry/dower.
When me and my wife were planning to get married I was not in the best of financial positions and at that time we understood that it was acceptable for me to write a dower specifying an sum of money to be paid to my wife in case of divorce.
Looking back at this I do not see any Qur'anic basis for this practice, but I would like to know what everyone thinks the "bridal reward/gift" could be if the husband to be does not have a significant sum of money to give. Also, based on the verses of the Qur'an (e.g. 424), it appears to me now that the "gift", whatever it may be, must be given up front before the actual marriage is consummated.
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
May God increase our knowledge.
What country do you live in and what is the legal system there concerning divorce financial arrangement? The Quran talks about payment to the woman when marrying.
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I live in Canada. We have no intention of divorcing, thank God, but I do wonder if I should pay my wife now or give her some significant gift since I did not do so when we got married.
Canada already has some financial protection for the wife. The Quran is talking about societies where no such legal system exists as the case was in Medina and probably Mecca.
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Salam
From the Quran it seems, that Nikah is a contract and includes a transfer / gift / bridal task (4.24 and 60.10) here different translations424
The women who are already married, except those whom you have contractual rights, God's book is over you; and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be protected and not for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had joy with them, then you shall give them their wage as an obligation. There is no sin upon you for what you agree to after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.10
The Monotheist Group
424 And the already protected from the women, except those committed to you by oath; God's scripture is over you; and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be protected and not for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had joy with, then you shall give them their dowries as an obligation. There is no sin upon you for what you agree to after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
Muhammad Asad
424 And all married women other than those whom you rightfully possess 26 this is God's ordinance, binding upon you. But lawful to you are all beyond these, for you to seek out, offering them of your possessions,27 taking them in honest wedlock, and not in fornication. And unto those with whom you desire to enjoy marriage, you shall give the dowers due to them; but you will incur no sin if, after this lawful due, you freely agree with one another upon anything 28 behold, God is indeed all-knowing, wise.
Rashad Khalifa
Mutual Attraction And Dowry Required
424 Also prohibited are the women who are already married, unless they flee their disbelieving husbands who are at war with you. These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain your morality, by not committing adultery. Thus, whoever you like among them, you shall pay them the dowry decreed for them. You commit no error by mutually agreeing to any adjustments to the dowry. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
Shabbir Ahmed
424 Also forbidden to you are women who are already married, except those women who have sought asylum with you against their disbelieving husbands at war with you (6010). This is God's Ordinance binding upon you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, with mutual consent, as confirmed by giving her a generous marital gift or dowry. You shall seek them in honest wedlock and let marriage be a fortress of chastity for the husband and wife. You shall maintain morality and go not near adultery (1732). You like to marry women for a better quality of life, so give them their portions as a duty. And there is nothing wrong in adjusting the sum with mutual agreement after the duty has been done. These laws are given to you by God, the Knower, the Wise.6010
O you who acknowledge, if the acknowledging women come emigrating to you, then you shall test them. God is fully aware of their acknowledgement. Thus, if you establish that they are those who acknowledge, then you shall not return them to those who do not appreciate. They are no longer lawful for them, nor are those who do not appreciate lawful for them. Return the dowries that were paid. There is no sin upon you to marry them, if you have paid their dowries to them. Do not keep the wives who do not acknowledge, and ask back what dowries you paid. Let them ask back what dowries they had paid. Such is God's judgment; He judges between you. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
The Monotheist Group
6010 O you who believe, if the believing women come emigrating to you, then you shall test them. God is fully aware of their belief. Thus, if you establish that they are believers, then you shall not return them to the disbelievers. They are no longer lawful for them, nor are the disbelievers lawful for them. And return the dowries that were paid. And there is no sin upon you to marry them, if you have paid their dowries to them. And do not keep disbelieving wives, and ask back what dowries you paid. And let them ask back what dowries they had paid. Such is God's judgment; He judges between you. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
Muhammad Asad
6010 O YOU who have attained to faith! Whenever believing women come unto you, forsaking the domain of evil,10 examine them, God is fully aware of their faith;11 and if you have thus ascertained that they are believers, do not send them back to the deniers of the truth, they are lawful to their erstwhile husbands,12 and these are lawful to them. None the less, you shall return to them whatever they have spent ;13 and you will be committing no sin if you marry them after giving them their dowers. On the other hand, hold not to the marriage-tie with women who deny the truth,14 and ask but for whatever you have spent -just as they have the right to demand15 whatever they have spent. Such is God's judgment He judges between you - for God is all-knowing, wise.
Rashad Khalifa
In Case of War
6010 O you who believe, when believing women (abandon the enemy and) ask for asylum with you, you shall test them. GOD is fully aware of their belief. Once you establish that they are believers, you shall not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful to remain married to them, nor shall the disbelievers be allowed to marry them. Give back the dowries that the disbelievers have paid. You commit no error by marrying them, so long as you pay them their due dowries. Do not keep disbelieving wives (if they wish to join the enemy). You may ask them for the dowry you had paid, and they may ask for what they paid. This is GOD's rule; He rules among you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
Shabbir Ahmed
6010 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! When believing women come to you as immigrants, investigate their case, although only God is best Aware of their faith. Once you establish that they are truly believers, do not return them to the rejecters of the truth. They are not lawful for the rejecters, nor are the rejecters lawful for them. Give the rejecters what they have spent on them (as dowry). And there is no blame on you if you marry these women, when you have given them their due marital gift. And do not hold on to wedlock with women who continue to deny the truth. And you may ask them for the dowry you had paid, just as the rejecters have the right to ask the return of what they spent. This is the Judgment of God. He judges between you, for God is All Knower, All Wise.
peace -
SAlaam
thanks for post, nice compilation Mirjamnur
Well i think we can include more then economic/money for wife/bride and do not reduce dowry to only money offer... EX in my marriage my partner gave more importance and acepted/asked for my heart and kindness as dowry..that doesnt mean i dont provide for her..it means that she value more my inside than my m,oney in time of mariage.
I think realy depends on both parts man and women to get/reach a comon agreement /vow/promisse.SAlaam to all peace pr