What happens if the object given as presumed *mahr* is not the stipulated form of payment?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Dowry (Mahr)
Primary text
If the item transferred is of a different category than what was stipulated as *mahr*—for instance, if the *mahr* was stipulated as dirhams (silver coins) but he gave her substitute goods—and they later disagree on whether the substitution was accepted, the wife has the right to return the substitute goods and demand her stipulated *mahr* from him.
Supporting text
In a specific narration reported by Al-Fadl ibn Ziyad concerning Ahmad, if a husband sends the equivalent value of the stipulated *mahr* in movable goods or clothing without informing them that it is from the *mahr*, and the wife later demands her *mahr* (stipulated as dirhams), she must return the goods and revert to claiming her dirham *mahr*. However, if the husband claims she accepted the item as *mahr* (ihtasaba bihi min as-sadaq) and she claims he said it was a gift, then each party should swear an oath, and they must reconcile the respective property each holds.