How to calculate Mahr in Islam
Mehr (Mahr) Calculator Islamic Bridal Gift Guide 2026
Mehr (Mahr) is a mandatory gift from the husband to the wife at the time of Nikah (Islamic marriage). It is the wife's absolute right given by Allah not a price, not a dowry, but a symbol of respect, commitment, and financial security. This calculator helps you determine an appropriate Mehr amount based on Mahr Fatimi, gold/silver standards, regional customs, and your financial capacity.
Select Mehr Type
What is Mahr Fatimi?
Mahr Fatimi is the Mehr amount that Hazrat Ali (RA) gave to Hazrat Fatimah (RA), the beloved daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), at the time of their Nikah. It is considered the most blessed and Sunnah standard for Mehr.
Mahr Fatimi Details
Mahr Fatimi = 480 Dirhams of Silver
1 Dirham = approximately 3.0618 grams of silver
Total Silver Weight:
480 x 3.0618 = 1,469.664 grams of silver
In Tola:
1,469.664 / 11.664 = approximately 126 Tola
Current Cash Value (2026 Est.):
1,469.664 grams x PKR 280/gram = PKR 4,11,506 (approx)
Note: The value changes with silver prices. Always use current market rate.
Mehr of the Wives of the Prophet (PBUH)
| Wife (RA) | Mehr Amount | Silver Equivalent | Approx PKR Value (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazrat Khadijah (RA) | 20 camels (given by Prophet PBUH) | Varies | Very high value |
| Most Wives of Prophet (PBUH) | 500 Dirhams / 12.5 Uqiyah | 1,530.9 grams silver | Approx PKR 4,28,652 |
| Hazrat Umm Habibah (RA) | 4,000 Dirhams | 12,247.2 grams silver | Approx PKR 34,29,216 |
| Hazrat Fatimah (RA) | 480 Dirhams (from Ali RA) | 1,469.664 grams silver | Approx PKR 4,11,506 |
Mehr Amounts — Quick Reference
| Standard | Basis | Silver (grams) | Gold (grams) | PKR (2026 Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (Hanafi) | 10 Dirhams | 30.618g | N/A | Approx PKR 8,573 |
| Mahr Fatimi | 480 Dirhams | 1,469.664g | N/A | Approx PKR 4,11,506 |
| Mahr of Most Azwaj | 500 Dirhams | 1,530.9g | N/A | Approx PKR 4,28,652 |
| Common Pakistan (Gold) | 1 Tola Gold | N/A | 11.664g | Approx PKR 2,68,272 |
| Common Pakistan (Gold) | 5 Tola Gold | N/A | 58.32g | Approx PKR 13,41,360 |
| Common Pakistan (Gold) | 10 Tola Gold | N/A | 116.64g | Approx PKR 26,82,720 |
| Common India | 10 grams Gold | N/A | 10g | Approx INR 72,000 |
| Common Arab Countries | Cash based | N/A | N/A | SAR 10,000 - 50,000+ |
Mehr Calculation Formulas
Mahr Fatimi Formula
Where:
480 = Number of Dirhams
3.0618 = Weight of 1 Dirham in grams
Psilver = Current silver price per gram
Mfatimi = 1,469.664 x Psilver
Gold Based Mehr Formula
Where:
W = Total gold weight in grams
K = Karat (24K, 22K, 21K, 18K)
Pgold = Current 24K gold price per gram
Tola Conversion:
1 Tola = 11.664 grams
Mtola = Tola x 11.664 x Pgold
Silver Based Mehr Formula
Where:
W = Silver weight in grams
Psilver = Current silver price per gram
Split Mehr Formula
Mlater = Mtotal - Mnow
Example: Total Mehr = PKR 5,00,000 | Split = 40% now
Mnow = 5,00,000 x 0.40 = PKR 2,00,000
Mlater = 5,00,000 - 2,00,000 = PKR 3,00,000
Solved Examples
Example 1: Mahr Fatimi Calculation
Silver price: PKR 280/gram. Calculate Mahr Fatimi value.
1 Dirham = 3.0618 grams silver
Total silver = 480 x 3.0618 = 1,469.664 grams
Current silver price = PKR 280/gram
M = 1,469.664 x 280
M = PKR 4,11,506
This is the Sunnah standard — blessed and recommended.
Example 2: Gold Based — 5 Tola 22K
Mehr fixed at 5 Tola of 22K gold. Gold price: PKR 23,000/gram (24K).
Pure gold = 58.32 x (22/24) = 58.32 x 0.917 = 53.48g
Value = 53.48 x 23,000
M = PKR 12,30,040
Or if paying in 22K gold price (approx PKR 21,091/gram):
M = 58.32 x 21,091 = PKR 12,30,027 (same result)
Example 3: Split Mehr — Part Now, Part Later
Total Mehr: PKR 8,00,000. Agreement: 30% paid at Nikah, 70% deferred.
Muajjal (now) = 8,00,000 x 30% = PKR 2,40,000
Muwajjal (deferred) = 8,00,000 x 70% = PKR 5,60,000
The deferred Mehr remains a DEBT on the husband until paid.
Wife can demand it at any time. It must be paid from estate if husband dies before paying.
Example 4: Minimum Mehr (Hanafi)
According to Hanafi fiqh, minimum Mehr is 10 Dirhams of silver.
Silver price = PKR 280/gram
Mmin = 30.618 x 280
Mmin = PKR 8,573
Note: This is the absolute minimum. Setting Mehr this low without good reason is discouraged. The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged fair and reasonable Mehr.
Example 5: USA — Dollar Based Calculation
Mahr Fatimi in USD. Silver price: $0.85/gram.
Mfatimi = $1,249
Many US communities set Mehr between $5,000 - $25,000 in cash
or 2-5 ounces of gold ($4,000 - $10,000)
Complete Mehr Rules in Islam
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mehr is Farz | Mehr is mandatory in every Nikah. A marriage without Mehr agreement is still valid but Mehr-e-Mithl (equivalent Mehr) becomes automatically due. |
| Wife's Exclusive Right | Mehr belongs ONLY to the wife. No one — not her father, brother, or in-laws — can take it. It is her personal property. |
| Cannot Be Zero | Mehr cannot be waived at the time of Nikah. If not specified, Mehr-e-Mithl (equivalent to her peers) becomes due. |
| No Maximum Limit | There is no upper limit on Mehr. However, excessive Mehr that burdens the husband is discouraged. Umar (RA) tried to limit it but was corrected by a woman quoting Quran 4:20. |
| Minimum (Hanafi) | 10 Dirhams of silver (approximately 30.618 grams = ~PKR 8,573). Shafi school has no fixed minimum. |
| Can Be Anything of Value | Mehr can be cash, gold, silver, property, services, or even teaching Quran (based on Hadith). It must be something of determinable value. |
| Prompt vs Deferred | Mehr Muajjal (prompt): paid at Nikah. Mehr Muwajjal (deferred): paid later on demand or at divorce/death. Both are valid. Prompt is preferred. |
| Debt Until Paid | Unpaid Mehr is a DEBT on the husband. It must be paid before inheritance distribution if husband dies. Wife is a creditor. |
| Wife Can Forgive | The wife can voluntarily forgive part or all of the Mehr (Quran 4:4). But this must be genuine — no pressure from husband or in-laws. |
| Divorce Before Consummation | If divorced BEFORE consummation: wife gets HALF the Mehr. If after consummation: she gets FULL Mehr. (Quran 2:237) |
| Khula (Wife-Initiated Divorce) | In Khula, wife may return Mehr to husband as compensation for dissolving the marriage. This is her choice. |
| Written Agreement | Mehr amount should be clearly stated in the Nikah Nama (marriage contract) and signed by both parties and witnesses. |
Mehr-e-Mithl — When Mehr is Not Specified
If Mehr amount was not discussed or agreed upon at the time of Nikah, Islamic law assigns Mehr-e-Mithl — an amount equivalent to what women of similar status (family, education, beauty, age) in the bride's family typically receive. Factors considered include:
| Factor | How It Affects Mehr-e-Mithl |
|---|---|
| Family Status | What her sisters, cousins, and aunts received as Mehr |
| Education | Higher education may increase Mehr-e-Mithl |
| Beauty/Qualities | Considered in classical fiqh as a factor |
| Age | Youth and age are considered factors |
| Regional Custom | Local customs and standards are considered |
| Time Period | Current market values and economic conditions |
Quranic References About Mehr
Allah says: "And give the women (upon marriage) their bridal gift (Mehr) graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease."
— Quran 4:4
Allah says: "And if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount (of Mehr), do not take back from it anything. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin?"
— Quran 4:20
Allah says: "And there is no blame upon you if you divorce women you have not touched nor specified for them an obligation (Mehr). But give them a gift of compensation — the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability — a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good."
— Quran 2:236
Allah says: "And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have already specified for them an obligation (Mehr), then give half of what you specified."
— Quran 2:237
Hadith References About Mehr
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best marriage is that which is made easiest."
— Sunan Abu Dawud 2117
The Prophet (PBUH) said to a man: "Go and look for something, even if it is a ring of iron (to give as Mehr)." When he could not find anything, the Prophet said: "Do you know anything of the Quran?" He said: "Yes, such and such Surahs." The Prophet said: "I have married her to you for what you know of the Quran."
— Sahih Bukhari 5087, Sahih Muslim 1425
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said: "Do not make the Mehr of women expensive, for if it were a sign of honor in this world or piety before Allah, the Prophet (PBUH) would have been most worthy of it. But he did not give any of his wives or accept for any of his daughters more than twelve Uqiyah (500 Dirhams)."
— Sunan Abu Dawud 2106, Sunan Tirmidhi 1114
Anas ibn Malik (RA) narrated: "The Prophet (PBUH) saw traces of yellow perfume on Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf and asked: 'What is this?' He said: 'I married a woman for a Nawat (date-stone weight) of gold.' The Prophet said: 'May Allah bless you. Give a Walima (feast), even if with one sheep.'"
— Sahih Bukhari 5153, Sahih Muslim 1427
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mehr the same as dowry?
A: No. Mehr is paid by the HUSBAND to the WIFE. Dowry (jahaiz) is given by the bride's family to the groom — which has no basis in Islam and is a cultural practice that often burdens the bride's family. Islam only requires Mehr from husband to wife.
Q: Can Mehr be increased after Nikah?
A: Yes. The husband can voluntarily increase the Mehr at any time after Nikah. This is a generous act and is rewarded. However, the wife cannot demand an increase after the contract is finalized unless both agree.
Q: What if the husband refuses to pay Mehr?
A: Refusing to pay Mehr is a major sin. The wife has full legal and Islamic right to demand it. She can take the matter to an Islamic court (Dar ul Qaza) or civil court. Mehr is her absolute right given by Allah.
Q: Is gold jewelry given at Nikah counted as Mehr?
A: Only if it was explicitly stated as Mehr in the Nikah contract. Gold given as a gift (tohfa) is separate from Mehr. The Nikah Nama should clearly state what constitutes the Mehr.
Q: Can Mehr be property, a house, or land?
A: Yes. Mehr can be any item of determinable value — cash, gold, silver, property, land, car, shares, or even a service like teaching Quran. It must be clearly specified and agreed upon.
Q: What happens to unpaid Mehr if husband dies?
A: Unpaid Mehr is a DEBT that must be paid from the husband's estate BEFORE inheritance distribution. The wife is a creditor. After Mehr is paid, she also receives her inheritance share (1/4 or 1/8).
Q: Should Mehr be high or low?
A: The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged moderate Mehr that honors the wife without burdening the husband. Very high Mehr can delay marriages and create resentment. Very low Mehr may not adequately honor the wife. Mahr Fatimi (~PKR 4 lakh) is considered a balanced Sunnah standard.
Q: Can the wife forgive (maaf) the Mehr?
A: Yes, but ONLY if done genuinely and voluntarily without any pressure. Quran 4:4 specifically says "But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it." The key word is "willingly" — any pressure invalidates the forgiveness.
Important Disclaimer
Gold and silver prices shown are approximate estimates for 2026 and change daily based on international markets. Always use the current market rate at the time of Nikah for accurate Mehr calculation. Regional customs and family traditions may influence Mehr amounts but should not override Islamic principles.
For specific rulings on Mehr in your situation, consult a qualified Mufti or Islamic scholar. Different schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali) may have slight variations in Mehr rulings.
Quranic References: Surah An-Nisa 4:4, 4:20, 4:24, 4:25 | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:236-237
Hadith: Sahih Bukhari 5087, 5153 | Sahih Muslim 1425, 1427 | Abu Dawud 2106, 2117 | Tirmidhi 1114