Question
What do the scholars of Islam say about the following: During a nikah, bridal money (mahr) was mentioned. However, it was not given immediately, nor was a date specified for this. When does a woman have the right to demand this?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
According to shari’ah, if bridal money was not given immediately at the time of the nikah, nor was a date fixed for it to be given afterwards, it is then due at the time of divorce or death of the husband. Therefore, a woman cannot demand it until her husband dies or she is divorced. The demanding of bridal money is dependent upon social norms, and in the subcontinent, it is understood that bridal money is deferred until death or divorce, if the time for giving it was not specified during the nikah. The woman can only demand bridal money if she is divorced, or her husband dies. The bridal money will also become immediately due if the woman dies, with her inheritors being the deserving party, even if the husband himself is amongst them.