Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

The Dower

During the Caliphate of Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) people began to fix heavy dowers following the custom of non- Arabs. There upon Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) drew the attention of the people in a khutbah indicating the line of thought for Muslims. He is reported to have said, “Do not go to extremes in giving women their dower, for if it represented honour in this world and piety in ALLAHs sight, then one of you most entitled to do so would have been ALLAH’s Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). I am not aware of ALLAH’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) marrying any of his wives or giving any of his daughters in marriage for more than twelve uqiyas (40 dirhams). [Ahmad, Tirmizi etc.]

On this an old lady stood up and reciting:

And ye have given unto one of them a sum of money (however great) [iv I 20]

Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) came down the pulpit recites:

Ah! Everyone is more learned than Umar, even old women. Thereafter he abstained from taking a harsh attitude in this matter. [Tirmizi]