THIS is apropos the letter ‘Doing away with dowry’ (Nov 7). Dower and Jahez are two different things. Sura An-Nisaa 4, Verse 4, “Dower — And give the women (on marriage) their dower as an obligation”.

Jahez is culture of the subcontinent (not in Islam), given by the bride to the bridegroom. Dower (Islam) is to be given by the bridegroom to the bride, to meet the marriage and her other requirements of setting her house.

Parents of the girl spend a lot of money on the education of their daughters and, on top of it, the bridegroom demands Jahez. It is unfair, putting unnecessary burden on the parents of the bride. These days both girls and boys are in jobs. They should bear their marriage expenses.

M.K. Sufi
Islamabad