3 Quran verses instruct husbands about dowry

Islam protects women's rights in marriage. To ensure protection, Allah has commanded men to give dowry to women in their nikah.

Dowry (also mahr), in traditional marital customs, is understood to be any kind of gift given to the wife upon marriage, especially if it is of value. With Islam, the notion that it is the husband who must pay whatever sum of money his wife demands is reversed. According to Islamic law, a man is obligated to provide his fiancée or bride-to-be with a dowry, and the Quran additionally requires him to do it gracefully, without any disagreement. 

Islamic faith teaches that the commands of Allah protect women in the religion.

1) Surah Nisa, verse number 4

"And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease" (Al-Nisa 4)

This verse is specifically addressed to husbands (or guardians). Because it is the husbands' responsibility to pay the dowry, so the verse talks to them. It could also be addressed to the guardians, not because they must pay the dowry, but because, pre-Islamic jahiliya (and much of today's "post-Islamic" jahiliya), guardians used to take the dowry of the women and not give it to them. 

The dowry (mahr) must be delivered to the wife and not held by the guardians. The dowry payment to women is also made obligatory in the following verses.

2) Surah Nisa, verse number 24

"Give those you have consummated marriage with their due dowries. It is permissible to be mutually gracious regarding the set dowry. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." [Surah Nisa, verse 24]

Is dowry part of marriage contract?

As per the above-mentioned verses, the dowry is obligatory. Now the question is whether it (i.e., the amount specified and agreed upon) is one of the arkaan or shurut of the marriage contract. In other words, is it legal to establish a marriage contract that does not specify the dowry? The dowry appears to be the wife's right, although it is not a part of the marriage contract. This is based on the following verse in the Qur'an, which mentions divorce in the absence of a dowry agreement. There can't be a divorce if there was never a marriage to begin with. 

Let's read the verse.

3) Surah Al Baqarah 236

"There is no blame if you divorce women before the marriage is consummated or the dowry is settled. But give them a ˹suitable˺ compensation—the rich according to his means and the poor according to his. A reasonable compensation is an obligation on the good-doers." [Al Baqarah 236]

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