Dowry, A social evil

 

Dowry, A social evil

A dowry is a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter (bride).

Unfortunately the dowry system is a great evil that still exists in Pakistan. Let me say that in society it should be explained in these simple word:

‘We live in a society where giving and taking dowry is a pride’

It is the custom that is prevalent in all sections of our society. Our society is suffering from many social evils at the moment. One of the worst evils is the dowry system. In the beginning, it was voluntary, but later on, the social pressure was such that very few could escape from it.

Disadvantages of the dowry system:

Main disadvantages of the dowry system are:

1.   People from a very poor family when demanded dowry for their girls at marriage, they involve themselves in pleading. Even though they lose their self-esteem, they are begging mosque to mosque, store to store.

2.   Women become mentally ill as they could not meet the amount of dowry and they continually tortured by their in-laws.

3.   Due to the dowry system, neither the poor people get married to their daughters nor cease them at their homes. Besides their age is passing bit by bit. To avoid misfortune and grief, they suicide themselves.

4.   To meet the demand of dowry, some lower-class family girls try to earn money from evil and unethical ways.

    Islam on dowry:

    Islam has legislated the giving of the dower by the husband to the wife to please the woman’s heart and to honor her. It is also meant to bring an end to what was done in the days of ignorance wherein she was wronged, exploited, despised, and robbed of her wealth. The dower is a right for the wife. It is her possession and none of her guardians or relatives may share any part of it.

     It was certainly not the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention). Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, was his favorite daughter, but he neither gave her a lavish dowry nor did he send things to her home after a wedding, and even when she made a request to him for something of a material nature, he only gave her the benefit of his counsel.

Modern evils:

    What we see happening in some European countries, and even some Muslim countries, is very strange indeed. This is where the woman is required to furnish a dowry or provide the furniture for their future house. This is turning the natural order of things upside down and goes against the nature of mankind. It leads to many social ills and behavioral harm. Such a practice contains a great deal of evil and harm to society.

Mehr (the dower):

    Islam has successfully maintained an even balance in society between men and women. The Quran is specified on this issue; Allah says (what means):

“Men are in charge of women by (right of) what (qualities) Allah has given one over the other and what they spend (in support) from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them

So, dowry is immorality in society that must be banned in the country even in society. It leads toward promoting many conflicts, quarrels, and greed in civilization. Both love and arrange marriage and both educated and illiterate people are practicing the dowry system in society. These consequences affect women's status and their possibilities to grow and educate themselves. But it also seems that change is being brought on slowly.

Awareness of dowry issues needs to be raised and steps need to be taken to speed up this process of change by empowering women and ensuring equality in Pakistan.