What is the ruling on the dower for a Zoroastrian man who converts to Islam before consummating his marriage?
Chapter on Marriage of Polytheists
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
A narration from Ahmad states that if a Zoroastrian man embraces Islam before consummating the marriage, the wife has no right to any dower. The justification for this ruling is that the separation is due to the difference in religion, which was caused by her conversion. Therefore, the separation resulted from her action, negating her right to the dower, similar to the case of apostasy. This differs from when divorce is suspended upon an action, as that is attributable to the husband; for instance, if he suspended divorce upon entering a specific house and she entered it, the separation occurs and she receives half the dower.