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Abstract
Under the Muslim Law, Mehr (dower) means money or property which the wife is entitled to receive from the husband in consideration of the marriage but this consideration is not the same as that of the civil contract. Dower is an obligation imposed upon the husband as a mark of respect for the wife. The major object of the dower is to provide wife for her subsistence after the dissolution of her marriage so that she may not become helpless after the death of the husband or termination of marriage by divorce. Mehr has also been considered as the part of maintenance while fixing the amount of maintenance under Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.
Since there is no clear cut definition as per Muslim Personal Laws regarding the dower (Mehr) amount, different High Courts and Supreme Court of India in different cases rendered different conceptions relating to Mahr.
Notes
1Fyzee, Outlines of Mohammedan Law (3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1974) 126.
2S. Indira Devi, Concept of Mahr, AIR January 2007 12.
3Mulla, Principles of Mohammedan Law (17th edn) 277.
4Baillie I:91.
5Abdur Rahim, Muhammadan Jurisprudence (T.L.L. 1907) 334.
6(1886) 8 All 149.
7 Abdur Kadir v Salima (18 86) 8 All 149.
8G.C.V. Subba Rao, Family Law in India (6th edn 1992) 364.
91934 Cal 697.
10Subba Rao, Family Law in India 372.
11Rahim, Muhammadan Jurisprudence 334.
12 Mohd. Ahmed Khan v Shah Bano Begum, AIR 1985 SC 945.
13Ibid.
14AIR 1979 SC 362.
15AIR 1980 SC 1730.
16 Md. Siddiq v Shanabuddin, AIR 1927 All 364.
17 Sabir Husain v Farzand, AIR 1938 PC 80.
18Baillie II:73.
19 Asma Bibi v Abdul Samad, ILR 3 All 167.
20 Zakeri v Sakina (1909) 32 All 167.
21 Mohammad Sultan v Sarajuddin, AIR 1936 Lah 183.
22 Mohammad Shahabuddin v Mst. Umator Rasoal, AIR 1960 Pat 511.
23 Mst. Maimuna Begum v Sharafat Ullah Khan (1931) All 403.
24 Firm Mangat Rai Hira Lal v Mst. Sakina Begum (1934) All 441.
25 Mirza Bedar Bukht v Mirza Khuram Bakht (1873) 19 WR 315 (PC).
26 Nasiruddin v Amatul, AIR 1948 Lah 135.
27 Sheikh Muhammad v Ayesha Beebi (1938) Mad. 609.
28 Hussain Khan v Gulab Khatun (1911) 36 Bom. 386.
29 Mahadeo Law v Maniram, AIR 1 933 Pat 281.
30 Sarb Krishna v Mst. Fatima, AIR 1937 Lah 859.
31 Mahadeo Law v Maniram, AIR 1933 Pat 281.
32 Mst. Manihar v Rekha Singh, AIR 1954 Mani 1.
33 Rehana Khatoon v Lqtidaruddin, AIR 1943 All 184.
34 Mangat Rai v Mst. Sakina, AIR 1934 All 441.
35 Mohd. Taqui Ahmad v Farmoodi Begum, AIR 1941 All 181.
36 Mst. Amtal Rasul v Karim Baksh, AIR 1933 Pesh 31.
37 Hamira Bibi v Zubaida Bibi (1916) 43 IA 294.
38Jama‐ush‐Shittat, quoted by Ameer Ali II:437.
39Fitzgerald, Mohammedan Law 66.
40Durr‐ul‐Mukhtar 78.
41 Malik Iftikhar Wali v Sarvari Begum, AIR 1929 All 369.
42Hedaya 48.
43 Najmunnissa v Serajuddin, AIR 1939 Pat 133.
44Ibid.; Ali v Md. (1918) 41 Mad 10 26.
45 Qasim Hussain v Bibi Kaniz, AIR 1923 All 649; Mazharul v Abdul, AIR 1925 Cal 32.
46 Hasnumiya v Halimunnissa, AIR 1942 Bom 128.
47 Nurannessa v Khaje Mohd., ILR 47 Cal 537.
48Durr‐ul‐Muhtar 64.
49Ibid.
50Ibid.
51 Kapoor Chand v Kadar Unnissa (1950) SCR 747.
52 Abdul Rahman Khan v Inayati Bibi, AIR 1937 Oudh 63.
53 Imtiaz v Abdul Karim, AIR 1930 All 881.
54 Beeju v Moorthiya, ILR 43 Mad 214.
55 Imtiaz v Abdul Karim, AIR 1930 All 881.
56 Azizullah v Ahmed (1885) 7 All 353.
57 Jahirdas v Sakina, AIR 1934 Cal 210.
58 Mohd. Karimullah v Amant Begum, AIR 1917 All 93.
59 P.S. Narayana Ayyar v Biyar Bibi, AIR 1922 Mad 221.
60 Mohd. Sahib v Zaib Jahan, AIR 1927 All 850.
61 Jahurdan Garibkhan v Sukina Bibi, AIR 1934 Cal 210.
62 Sabur Bibi v Ismail, AIR 1924 Cal 508.
63 Abdul Wahab v Mushtaque Ahmed, AIR 1944 All 36.
64AIR 1925 PC 63.
65 Izhar Fatima v Ansar, AIR 1939 All 483; Sabur v Ismail, AIR 1924 Cal 501; Zobair v Shidan, AIR 1942 Pat 210.
66 Hasnumiya v Halimunnissa, AIR 1942 Bom 128; Beeju Bee v Syed Moorthija (1920) 43 Mad 214.
67 Saikh Salma v Md. Abdul, AIR 1961 AP 428.
68 Hamira Bibi v Zubaida Bibi (1916) 43 IA 294.
69 Abdul v Mushtaq, AIR 1944 All 368.
70 Maina Bibi v Vakil Ahmad, AIR 1925 PC 63.
71 Majidmiyan v Bibisaheb, AIR (1916) 40 Bom 34.
72 Beejibi v Syed Moorthija (1920) 43 Mad 214.
73 Amir Hasan v Mohd. Nazir, AIR 1932 All 345.
74 Hanki Bibi v Abbas Ali, AIR 1941 Nag 187.
75AIR 1923 Pat 72.
76 Maina Bibi v Vikil Ahmad, AIR 1925 PC 63.
77(1950) SCR 747.
78AIR 1942 Pat 210.
79 Maina Bibi v Vikil Ahmad, AIR 1925 PC 63.
80 Mohd. Sharafat v Wahida, 28 IC 191.
81 Amir Husan Khan v Mohd. Nazir Hasan, AIR 1932 All 345.
82Razina v Abida, AIR 1937 All 9.
83 Sabir Hussain v Farzand Hussain, AIR 1934 All 52.
84 Mst. Nawab Begum v Allah Rakha, AIR 1922 Lah 172.