A newlywed spiritual seeker inquired:

“I am planning to give an amount of money to my wife monthly.  Can I make intention of paying off “mahr” in it?  And if so, is it necessary to inform her regarding it.”

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) replied:

“An amount of money should be given to the wife monthly as “pocket money”.  This amount should be enough to easily payoff her basic (personal) expenses. And also, the zakat due on her can be paid from it.  This stipend should never be counted as “mahr” amount.

However, an amount additional to this stipend can be given with intention of “mahr”.  The best way to do so is to open a bank account for her and deposit this amount monthly in it. Let her know that this saving is the “mahr” money.  This is because smaller amounts that are given are spend easily and the benefits of a larger amount in hand are lost.”

Islahi khutoot

Please, be reminded that,

The amount should be in proportion to the husband’s income and social status.

Wife should have full authority to do whatsoever with this money.