Mahr as a Form of Economic Security: A Preliminary Study

This article discusses the practice of mahr, as a symbol of property ownership among Muslims in Malaysia. Islamic law requires that when they marry, the bridegroom give his bride mahr or a form of dower. The practice of mahr has not been complicated by prescribed forms or amounts required but should be exercised according to the society's socio-cultural context. Empirical data are presented to examine whether the practice of mahr provides Malaysian Muslim women with economic security after the death of a husband or termination of marriage by divorce. This article con cludes that 60.3% of women in Malaysia receive mahr between rm 22.50 and rm 350 and that this amount is not sufficient to provide economic security.