What are the rights of a wife whom her husband has not yet consummated the marriage with, if he wishes to divorce her, knowing that they have agreed upon a prompt and a deferred dowry?
If you divorce your wife after the legal marriage contract but before consummation, and without specifying a mahr (dowry) for her, then you must pay half of the stipulated mahr, which includes both the prompt and deferred portions. This is unless the wife waives a part of her right, or agrees to pay more than what is incumbent upon you, based on the Almighty’s saying: "And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have already specified for them an obligation (dower) – then for them is half of what you specified, unless they [the women] give up [their right], or he in whose hand is the marriage contract gives up [his right]. And to forgo it is closer to righteousness." (Al-Baqarah: 237).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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