Islam has declared marriage an easy and simple act of worship.
The custom of dowry has become a burden against the simplicity of marriage.
The Holy Quran teaches ease and justice in marriage, not show and display.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَأَنكِحُوا الْأَيَامَىٰ مِنكُمْ﴾ (Al-Noor: 32)
That is, marry off those who are unmarried among you, do not create obstacles.
The condition of dowry becomes a severe test for a poor father.
This custom causes the daughter to be considered a burden instead of a blessing.
The Quran says: ﴿لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا﴾ (Al-Baqarah: 286)
That is, no soul is burdened beyond its capacity.
The demand for dowry is against this principle.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the most blessed marriage as that which is easy.
It is mentioned in the Hadith: «أَعْظَمُ النِّكَاحِ بَرَكَةً أَيْسَرُهُ مَؤُونَةً»
That is, the most blessed marriage is that in which the expense is less.
Dowry increases expenses and decreases blessings.
The Prophet ﷺ did not demand dowry in the marriages of his daughters.
The simplicity in the marriage of Syeda Fatima (RA) was exemplary.
This is a practical example for the Ummah.
The Quran strictly forbids injustice.
﴿وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ﴾ (Al-A'raf: 85)
Do not diminish the rights of people.
The demand for dowry is a robbery of the rights of the girl's family.
This is a form of social injustice.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ»
Neither harm yourself nor harm others.
Due to dowry, the father drowns in debt, and the sisters are deprived.
This is a clear loss, which Sharia forbids.
The Quran forbids arrogance and showing off.
﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُخْتَالَ الْفَخُورَ﴾ (Luqman: 18)
Dowry often becomes a means of pride and display.
It spreads envy, competition, and hypocrisy.
The Prophet ﷺ commanded good treatment of women.
«اسْتَوْصُوا بِالنِّسَاءِ خَيْرًا»
Accept the advice of good about women.
Taunts and demands for dowry are a violation of this command.
The Quran describes marriage as a source of peace.
﴿لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا﴾ (Al-Rum: 21)
The custom of dowry creates conflict instead of peace.
It becomes the basis of quarrels and divorce in many homes.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded to create ease.
«يَسِّرُوا وَلَا تُعَسِّرُوا»
Make it easy, do not make it difficult.
Dowry is the name of difficulty and complexity.
In Sharia, Mehr is the responsibility of the man.
The Quran says: ﴿وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً﴾ (Al-Nisa: 4)
Give women their Mehr with a good heart.
Dowry reverses this divine command.
Dowry is neither Sunnah, nor Fard, nor Wajib.
It is merely an ignorant tradition that Islam does not like.
This causes society to be divided into classes.
The daughter of the poor is left behind.
Islam is a religion of justice, equality, and mercy.
Dowry is contrary to all three.
We should perform marriage as an act of worship.
Customs and traditions should not be allowed to prevail over Sharia.
Parents, especially the groom's family, should adopt piety.
Pressuring the bride's family is a sin.
Refusing dowry is a sign of faith.
Adopting simplicity is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Let us pledge to completely abandon dowry.
We will make marriage easy and close the doors to sin.
This is the real teaching of the Quran and Sunnah.
May Allah save us from this curse
And may Allah grant us all the ability to live according to the commands of the Quran and Hadith.
Ameen Ya Rabb Al-Alameen
Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Ameen Qasmi