Master's power regarding the dower and divorce in a slave's marriage.

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Marriage

Book 35 · Issue 6 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The master has the right to specify the dower for his slave and the right to divorce the slave's wife. If the slave marries with the specified dower, less than it, or with the customary dower (mahr al-mithl) if the dower was unspecified or less than it, the stipulated dower is binding. If the slave marries with a dower exceeding the stipulated amount, the master is not liable for the excess.

Supporting text

There are two narrations concerning whether the liability for the excess dower follows the slave's person or his financial liability after manumission, depending on the ruling regarding a restricted slave's borrowing.