Mahr
Muslim (all sub-communities)
Mahr (also spelled Mehar) is a mandatory gift — of gold, money, or other agreed-upon value — given by the groom to the bride at the Nikah (Islamic marriage ceremony). It is declared and agreed before the Nikah takes place.
Critically, Mahr is the bride's absolute right under Islamic law. It becomes her sole property. It flows from the groom to the bride — the opposite direction of dowry. Confusing Mahr with dowry is a serious factual error: dowry flows from the bride's family to the groom's, is illegal in India, and is antithetical to the purpose of Mahr.
In Kerala Muslim tradition, Mahr is often given in gold or cash. The amount is negotiated before the wedding and stated publicly at the Nikah. It may be given immediately (Mahr-e-Mua'jjal) or deferred (Mahr-e-Muwa'jjal), though immediate payment is the norm in Kerala practice.
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