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Nuptial Gift for the Bride |
When a man wants to marry, he should give the woman
something as a gift.
In 4:4, this gift has been called as,
"saduqatihinna nihlatan"
which means,
a gift which is presented with love, affection, truth and
sincerity
without seeking
any return or recompense.
Quran has not fixed any amount for this gift.
However, the payment of this gift is essential and it should
be whatever a man can afford, the rich should give according
to his means and the poor should give according to his means
[2:236]. On the excessive side the amount could be, for
example, as much as seventy thousand deenars or a mound of
gold [qintaran].
It may not necessary be in the form of money [4:20]
The nuptial gift should be paid at the time of
marriage, although, with the consent of woman, the payment
could be made later. According to 2:237, a situation may
occur where the gift has not been paid at the time of
marriage.
"And if you divorce them
before consummation, but after the fixation of a dower for
them, then the half of the dower (is due to them), unless
they remit it or he, in whose hands is the tie of marriage,
should remit; and the remission (of the man's half) is the
nearest to righteousness. And do not forget Liberality
between yourselves. For God sees well all that you
do."[2:237]
The nuptial gift
belongs to the woman and nobody has right to deprive her
of it. However, she can let go a portion of it, or forfeit
or write off the whole of it, of her own free will.
"Give
your wives their nuptial gifts willingly (with love,
affection, sincerity and truth, and without seeking any
return). If they forego a part of it out of their own free
will, then you may enjoy it as convenient, and
profitable."[4:4]
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