The significance of Mahar in Muslim marriages in Sri Lanka: a study based on Anuradhapura district

Abstract

This study was carried out on two main objectives, which were to identify the procedures of mahar, is a compulsory gift that the bride receives by the bridegroom, in Muslim marriages in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, and how important it is among the locals. The data were collected by distributing 130 questionnaires in Kekirawa and Pahalagama areas in the Anuradhapura district and the data were analyzed using MS Excel. Furthermore, secondary sources were also used to achieve the objectives. It was found that the mahar was not demanded by either the bride or the groom, and the bride remained unaware of the amount of it in the study area. Also, the groom was not practiced to inform the bride about the amount of mahar. However, the mahar is crucial in marriages, and there is a sense of obligation that a groom should give it to his bride. In conclusion, the study had found that the tendency of deviation significantly from the Islamic concept of mahar when it was reviewed with the Islamic sources.