Do I Need To Document The Mahr I Give To My Wife?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I have been married for more than 1 year. In my marriage contract, both families agreed upon a certain amount (money) as Mahr. At that time, I paid a portion of the Mahr and talked with my wife that I would pay the rest when I was able. She agreed.
Now, I want to give another portion of the remaining Mahr to my wife.

So for this, do I need to Inform elders that I paid another portion of the Mahr to my wife? Or can I give it to my wife without informing anyone or writing it down?

Do I need to update the marriage document if I give another portion of the Mahr? In my marriage document, there is a mention (at the time of the marriage) of the amount of Total Mahr, remaining Mahr, and paid Mahr.

Answer

I pray you are well.

No, you don’t need to document it or have witnesses. The mahr is a matter between you and your wife and it doesn’t require anything more than you giving it to her. (Maydani, Lubab)

However, if the elders expect to be notified, and it will not cause any issues, you can tell them. This would be to prevent animosity and friction. As for proof, if you transfer money from your bank to your wife’s that should suffice.

May Allah bless your marriage.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.