Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

A Theoretical Analysis of Approaches to Controlling Non-Customary Dowries (Mahr) and the Feasibility of Extending the Rule of Non-Enforceability to Dowries Exceeding One-Third of the Husband’s Assets

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Industries and Management, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
Abstract
Dowry (Mahr) is a significant financial right of the wife, and its customary amount yields positive outcomes. However, its excessive inflation in recent years has diverted Mahr from its original purpose, leading to socio-cultural and economic challenges. Scholars have proposed various theories to address this issue, yet these approaches — despite their merits — lack comprehensiveness and fail to account for all dimensions of Mahr. This partial perspective stems from the absence of a sound methodology in the abovementioned studies. Using thematic analysis and hermeneutics, and relying on opinion survey data, the author systematically categorizes and critiques existing viewpoints, emphasizing the need to safeguard the rights of all stakeholders, including the husband, wife, heirs, and the husband’s creditors.  Given that Iranian jurisprudential-legal system does not recognize absolute and unrestricted authority of the husband over his assets — and given that non-customary Mahr is considered an instance of debts incurred to cause harm (duyūn muḍārra) — this study proposes that the enforceability of Mahr exceeding one-third of the husband’s assets be contingent upon the consent of other heirs and creditors. Accordingly, Article 1078 of the Civil Code should be amended.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 8, Issue 15 - Serial Number 15
September 2025
Pages 33-68

  • Receive Date 22 December 2023
  • Revise Date 06 May 2024
  • Accept Date 20 July 2024