According to the Shahr-e-Bourse, a lawyer said: At the same time as the legislator’s approach changes, women prefer to ensure their security not with high dowries, but with the conditions included in the contract. Akbar Monfared, a lawyer at a court and a university professor, explaining the latest developments related to dowry and women’s rights in Iran, said in an interview with Mehr: Dowry is money that a man pays to his wife or is obligated to pay when getting married. This gift, which is derived from the root of honesty (sadaq), is described in the Quran with the word nahlah; a word that refers to a honey bee and is a symbol of an unexpected gift. Accordingly, the right to dowry in Islam belongs entirely to the woman.
Changes in the Dowry Law in 1402 and Prison Limitations
Explaining the features of the new dowry law, this lawyer at a court added: According to the latest amendments to the Law on the Execution of Financial Convictions since 1402, the prison for dowry exceeding 110 coins has not been eliminated, but has been more limited. If the man has the financial means and does not pay up to the limit of 110 coins, he can still be arrested; however, if the court determines his financial incapacity, he will not be imprisoned and the payment of the dowry will be determined based on his ability and in long installments. Therefore, the philosophy of the law has changed from punishing the debtor to fair financial compensation.
Emphasizing the demand for high dowries, Manfared clarified: Dowries higher than 110 coins can only be demanded if the couple’s financial means are proven; that is, only if there is a valid asset or property in the man’s name. Also, since the end of 1402, all dowries must be officially and electronically registered in the marriage registration system (Sayah) to prevent formal dowries.
Developments in the legal system of dowry since 1404 and new systems
He continued, referring to the administrative changes since the beginning of 2025: Several important parts of the legal system of dowry in Iran have undergone changes. First, according to the plan to adjust marital financial obligations, which was approved by the Judiciary Reform Council and implemented in the summer of 1404, the concept of imprisonment for heavy dowries will be gradually eliminated. Courts are required to examine the couple’s financial means before issuing an arrest or detention order, and in case of lack of means, the case will be referred to financial mediation units so that payment can be arranged in installments. The goal is to reduce the population of dowry prisoners and replace financial obligations fairly.
This legal expert noted:the Guaranteed Assets of Marriage (Seda) system was launched by the Document Registration Organization and the Central Bank to control unrealistic dowries. According to this system, dowry can be non-cash such as bank deposits, stocks, life insurance or land, and its rial value must be registered and traceable at the time of the contract.
The lawyer also said about the new cash demand ceiling: According to the Judiciary’s Circular, the initial cash dowry ceiling that can be collected by the executive is 5 Bahr Azadi coins; any excess can only be claimed upon proof of the couple’s financial ability. This circular is actually a gradual replacement for the previous ceiling of 110 coins and a move towards reasonable dowries.
