Is it necessary to announce the dowry (Mahr) during the Nikah ceremony?

Q. Salaams Is it necessary to announce the mahr during the nikah ceremony? Should it be announced as “as greed between the parties” rather than the actual amount?. The amount of mahr given by a poor person will not match that given by a billionaire or rich persons. Announcements may cause some people to “live with the Jonses” and agree to give deferred mahr which they do not possess and which the bride will never get as is the custom in Pakistan. A poor person may feel ashamed if he cannot match the value of mahr announced by the rich. Jazakallah Wslm

A. The announcement of the Mahr amount at the time of the Nikah is not a requirement for the validity of the Nikah. Hence, it is not necessary to announce the Mahr amount at the time of the Nikah. At the same time, to announce the Mahr amount at the time of the Nikah serves as an encouragement for grooms to give their brides a reasonable Mahr amount. However, if this leads to grooms taking debts to compete with each other’s families etc., the Mahr amount should not be announced at the time of the Nikah.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

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