Muhr

Muhr, commonly transliterated as mahr or mehr, is the obligatory bridal gift specified in an Islamic marriage contract. Mandated by Islamic law, the mahr is paid by the groom to the bride and serves as her secured property. The amount and form of the mahr are negotiated and recorded in the marriage contract, and it remains the wife’s exclusive right, independent of other aspects of the marriage.

Payment terms vary by jurisprudence and local custom. The mahr can be immediate (mu’ajjil) or deferred (mu’akhkhar), or a combination of both. It may be monetary, jewelry, real estate, or another asset, as agreed by the couple. The mahr is distinct from other gifts or dowries and is intended to provide financial protection for the wife, including in the event of divorce or the husband’s death.

Regional practice shows considerable variation. In many Muslim-majority communities, the mahr is a fixed sum determined by family means and cultural norms, while in other contexts it is carefully negotiated at the time of marriage to reflect mutual obligations and circumstances. In modern legal systems that regulate family law, mahr arrangements may be incorporated into civil or religious contracts to ensure the wife’s rights are recognized and protected.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from Arabic mahr, meaning bridal gift. Transliterations vary, including muhr and mehr, reflecting different languages and script traditions rather than distinct concepts. The concept of mahr is widely referenced in Islamic jurisprudence and is integral to the structure of a lawful nikah in many traditions.