A woman came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have come to give you myself in marriage (without Mahr)." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) looked at her. He looked at her carefully and fixed his glance on her and then lowered his head. When the lady saw that he did not say anything, she sat down. A man from his companions got up and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! If you are not in need of her, then marry her to me." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Have you got anything to offer?" The man said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to him), "Go to your family and see if you have something." The man went and returned, saying, "No, by Allah, I have not found anything." Allah's Apostle said, "(Go again) and look for something, even if it is an iron ring." He went again and returned, saying, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I could not find even an iron ring, but this is my Izar (waist sheet)." He had no rida. He added, "I give half of it to her." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "What will she do with your Izar? If you wear it, she will be naked, and if she wears it, you will be naked." So that man sat down for a long while and then got up (to depart). When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saw him going, he ordered that he be called back. When he came, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "How much of the Qur'an do you know?" He said, "I know such Sura and such Sura," counting them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do you know them by heart?" He replied, "Yes." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Go, I marry her to you for that much of the Qur'an which you have."
The Legal Status of Mahr in Islamic Marriage
The Mahr (dower) is an essential pillar of the marriage contract in Islam, as established by the consensus of scholars. Allah says in the Quran: "And give the women their dower as a free gift" (Surah An-Nisa:4). This hadith demonstrates that marriage cannot be valid without some form of Mahr, regardless of its value.
The Prophet's initial silence when the woman offered herself without Mahr indicates the impermissibility of such an arrangement. His careful examination of her reflects the Islamic emphasis on seeing one's prospective spouse before marriage to establish compatibility and attraction.
The Minimum Requirement for Mahr
The Prophet's instruction to seek "even an iron ring" establishes that there is no minimum value required for Mahr in the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools. The Malikis and Hanbalis set a minimum based on what is customarily considered valuable, but this hadith supports the position that any item of value suffices.
The rejection of the man's Izar (waist garment) as Mahr demonstrates the wisdom of Islamic law in preventing situations that would lead to hardship or indecency. The scholars explain that the Mahr must be something beneficial and lawful for the wife to possess exclusively.
The Permissibility of Non-Material Mahr
This narration establishes the validity of teaching Quran as Mahr, which falls under the category of "manfa'ah" (benefit). The majority of scholars permit non-material Mahr provided it has recognizable value and can be delivered.
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments in Fath al-Bari that this ruling applies specifically to teaching Quran or Islamic knowledge, not merely reciting it. The husband must be capable of teaching what he has memorized, making this a valuable service rather than mere recitation.
Scholarly Interpretations and Conditions
Scholars differ on whether this ruling is specific to that historical context or generally applicable. The majority view holds that teaching Quran remains a valid form of Mahr, while some restrict it to times of genuine poverty.
Imam al-Nawawi states in Sharh Sahih Muslim that this hadith demonstrates the Prophet's wisdom in facilitating marriage for those of limited means while upholding the requirement of Mahr. It also shows the flexibility of Islamic law in accommodating different circumstances while maintaining essential principles.