Calculating Mahr Fatimi of the past
Question
I got married in August 2014 and the Mahr that was stipulated was Mahr Fāṭimī. I still have not paid this yet. I have 2 questions:
(1) Do you know how much Mahr Fāṭimī was in August 2014 as I cannot remember
(2) Do I need to give my wife Mahr Fāṭimī based on the rate it was when we got married in 2014 or based on today’s rate?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
(1) Mahr Fāṭimī according to many scholars is 480 Dirhams which according to most scholars of the Indian subcontinent is 1470g of silver. In August 2014, the price of one gram of silver was approximately £0.38. Therefore, the value of 1470g of silver was £670 (including VAT).
(2) When the Nikāḥ was performed, if the value of Mahr Fāṭimī was stipulated in pounds, for example, “the dowry is £670 based on Mahr Fāṭimī” then you are obliged to give £670. If the value was not mentioned and reference was only made to “Mahr Fāṭimī” and there was no agreement on a value, then you should give based on today’s rate which is £0.58 per gram, and therefore the value of 1470g of silver is £1023 (including VAT).
للمراجع راجع جوابنا المفصل في مهر الأزواج ومهر فاطمة رضي الله عنهن أجمعين.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
21 Jumādā al-Thāniyah 1445 / 4 January 2024
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
Dowry of Khadijah