Judging Mahr: Legal Ambiguities and Women’s Rights in Indian Muslim Marriages

Author(s)	Prof. Dr. RICHA RANJAN, DR SHAILJA VASUDEVA, Mr. RAJESH KUMAR
Country	India
Abstract	In Muslim marriages, Mahr often referred to as dower holds deep-rooted religious, cultural, and legal value. Traditionally, it symbolizes a husband’s commitment, care, and respect toward his wife, serving as a tangible gesture of goodwill and financial assurance. Yet, in contemporary legal discourse, especially within India, the interpretation of Mahr has become increasingly complex. Courts have oscillated between treating it as an enforceable financial right and reducing it to a token of symbolic value. By adopting a doctrinal and comparative approach, the study revisits the original spirit of Mahr and assesses its evolving role in securing Muslim women’s economic rights. Drawing insights from legal systems in Malaysia, Pakistan, and Egypt, the paper argues for a progressive reinterpretation one that reaffirms Mahr as a tool for gender justice and constitutional equality, rather than a ritualistic obligation.
Keywords	Mahr, dower, Muslim marriage, Islamic law, Indian personal law, women’s rights, gender justice, constitutional equality, economic security, comparative legal analysis, Muslim women, personal law reform, South Asian legal systems.
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2025
Published On	2025-06-30
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.49683
Short DOI	https://doi.org/g9r785

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