INDIAN ULEMA OPPOSE REVERSE DOWRY CULTURE

New Delhi, 11 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/13 January 2013 (MINA) – Muslim scholars in India are refusing to conduct marriages for couples who make the family of the bride pay dowry to the groom.

A shariah court judge in the Nalanda province, Maulana Mansur Alam, told the Times of India “We have decided not to conduct marriages for those who take and give dowry in the district,” muslim community media Muslim Village, reported as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The practice of making the bride pay dowry to the groom is not only un-Islamic, but it is the complete opposite to what Islam prescribes.

In Islam, the groom is expected to pay mahr, a token demonstrating his ability and accepting of the responsibility to provide for his wife. However, the act of the bride paying dowry to the groom comes from Hindu culture, which has influenced some Muslims living in the region.

In Indian culture, it is the responsibility of the parents to marry their daughters off, so many parents often take out loans in order to cover the dowry. According to the OnIslam website, some families in rural areas even resort to selling organs to cover the cost.

Thus the Sharia court has taken a firm stance in opposing the practice.(T/P03/P04/mirajnews.com)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)