Husband should pay back what he received as dowry

10-4-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Before my marriage, my mother asked for a list of things my inlaws are going to give us. They sent a list of it and later on my mom asked for more dowry which they have not accepted and said that they will give whatever they wish to and gave the same. I was not involved in it which I should have done by not asking the dowry. Here my question is, do I need to give back whatever they have given me in my marriage. They gave about 50000 rs, 4 tolas gold to my wife and some household items.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

We have previously explained in Fatwa 85873 the invalidity of the Indian custom of making the wife pay Mahr (dowry) to the husband. Therefore, if what your in-laws gave you was dowry, then it is unlawful for you to take; and the fact that they gave it to you through your family is irrelevant in this regard. You have to give them back all they have given you as dowry. But if they gave it to you as a gift and you accepted it and took it in your possession, then it rightfully belongs to you.

As for what the bride’s family gives her, we have detailed it in Fatwa 88939.

Allaah Knows best.