Dowry gifts is anything given by the man who is intending marry a wife as gifts to the bride he intends to marry and to the family in the following conditions permissible in Sharia:
- The Sharia rules that, apart from Mahr ( mandatory Dowry) anything else as gifts are permissible as the family of the girl or woman intending to get married may condition the man or his family according to their customs, tradition and culture. for example every culture has a different way of giving their daughter’s hand in marriage, but some of these customs are contrary to Islam. Those customs, traditions and culture who are contrary to Islam are not permissible in Islam. Live example, in Hindu faith mixed with Indian customs, traditions and culture, the family of the girl must give the family of the man money as they condition in order to get her married to him. This is contrary to Islam, in Sharia, the Man and his family must give dowry gifts to a woman and her family. for the woman intending to marry she must ask for what she wishes which is mandatory to the husband to give her, and the family also may ask what they want which is not mandatory to be given by the husband.
- Dowry gifts must only be from Halaal. for example a Muslim marrying a girl or woman whose parents are not Muslims, and they require the future son in law to bring alcohol and pork for marriage celebrations, it is not permissible to give such gifts to any one for any reason.
- Husband may give his intended wife as much according to his means to make her happy and her trust in him, and he may also give as much as he want to her family to win their respect for him and his family.
- It is not permissible in Islam, to take a loan for giving unnecessary dory gifts to the family of the girl or woman to please them while making new husband live with debt. This mistake has been made here in South Africa, since marriages have no guarantee how long will last, some continue to pay loans even after the wife has divorced them is married to another man. So Islam discourage , showing off. Only those who have means may give as much to the girl or woman and her family as gifts of dowry from money save not from loan taken.