Is it recommended to avoid excessive inflation of the dower (mahr)?

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It is recommended not to inflate the dower excessively. The basis for this is the Prophetic teaching stating that the most blessed of women are those whose burdens are lightest. This is supported by the narration from Aisha concerning the Prophet, peace be upon him. Furthermore, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab explicitly forbade excessive dowers, arguing that if it were a matter of worldly honor or piety before God, the Messenger of Allah would have set the highest precedent. He stated that the Prophet did not give any of his wives or daughters a dower exceeding twelve *awqiyyah* (ounces). Increasing the dower excessively can lead to hardship for the husband, potentially causing animosity toward his wife and leading him to regret the expenditure.