Mahr Calculator

How mahr works

Mahr is a gift the groom gives to the bride as part of the marriage contract. It is her right and her property, not a payment to her family. It can be money, gold, property, or anything of value the bride agrees to. There is no fixed amount in Islam. What matters is that it reflects the groom's means and that the bride is genuinely content with it.

Three ways to arrive at a number

• Enter an amount if you already have a figure in mind and just want to split it.
• Based on incomeuses a share of the groom's yearly earnings as a rough guide.
• Silver standarduses Mahr Fatimi, the mahr associated with the Prophet's ﷺ family, converted to today's silver price in CAD.

Prompt and deferred mahr

Many couples split the mahr into two parts. The prompt portion (muqaddam) is paid at the nikah. The deferred portion (mu'akhar) is a debt the husband owes the wife, usually payable on request or in the event of divorce or death. The slider in the calculator lets you set that balance.

Mahr in Canada

In Canada, mahr is more than a religious formality. Courts in provinces including Ontario and British Columbia have, in a number of cases, treated a written mahr agreement as an enforceable marriage contract or debt. Results vary with the wording and the circumstances, so if you want your mahr to hold up legally, write it down clearly in your nikah contract and consider speaking with a family lawyer. This tool is general information, not legal or religious advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is mahr?

Mahr is a mandatory gift the groom gives to the bride as part of the Islamic marriage contract (nikah). It becomes the bride's property alone, to keep or use as she wishes. It is a right of the wife, not a fee paid to her family.

Is mahr required in Islam?

Yes. Mahr is obligatory in a valid nikah. There is no fixed amount, but the marriage contract is not complete without a mahr being agreed upon.

How much mahr should I give?

There is no set figure in Islam. It should reflect the groom's means and be something the bride is content with. Many Canadian couples land somewhere between a symbolic amount and a few months of income. Our calculator gives you a starting point for the conversation.

What is the difference between prompt and deferred mahr?

Prompt mahr (muqaddam) is paid at the time of the nikah. Deferred mahr (mu'akhar) is owed later, typically payable on demand or in the event of divorce or the husband's death. Couples often split the total between the two.

Is mahr the same as a dowry?

No. A dowry, in the traditional sense, is given by the bride's family to the groom. Mahr is the opposite: it is given by the groom to the bride, and it belongs to her.

Is mahr legally enforceable in Canada?

Often, yes. Canadian courts, including in Ontario and British Columbia, have in several cases treated a mahr agreement as an enforceable marriage contract or debt. Outcomes depend on how the agreement was written and the facts of the case, so if enforceability matters to you, put it in writing clearly and speak with a family lawyer.

When is mahr paid?

The prompt portion is due at the nikah. The deferred portion is a debt the husband owes the wife and remains payable until it is settled.