One of the issues that is often neglected these days is the dowry of girls. From the Islamic perspective, the dowry of a girl belongs to her, and no one has the right to possess it without her permission; this is a right that Allah Almighty has assigned to them. As He says: «وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نَحْلَةً» (And give women their dowry as a [divine] bounty). Therefore, the father cannot take it away without the girl’s permission and without a valid need.
Some people increase their daughter’s dowry because they believe that they and their family have a share in it, and it has happened many times that the entire family agrees on a high dowry. This practice is false and should be avoided. The smaller the dowry, the more blessed and enduring the marriage will be. Some people still do not understand the true philosophy of dowry: “What is the true philosophy of dowry?” The dowry actually belongs to the woman; it is compensation for the part of her that the husband will use, and no one has the right to use the dowry without her permission.
Not Giving Inheritance to Daughters
Girls’ rights should be honored in every way. Not paying daughters their rights and share of inheritance is one of the most reprehensible habits that has spread among some people, and this habit is entirely against the Qur’an. The Holy Quran has clearly outlined their rights. Allah the Exalted says about the rights of women: «يُوصِيكُمُ اللّهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الأُنثَيَيْنِ» (Allah will advise you about your children: a male has the equivalent share of two females…). This verse proves that daughters also have a share in the inheritance.
Scholars consider depriving girls of their inheritance rights to be haram (forbidden) and view it as an ugly practice rooted in ignorance.
