Wife's Right of Retention in Shi'a Jurisprudence

In Shi'a jurisprudence, the wife's ownership of the dower (mahr) is one of the financial consequences of the marriage contract. A set of rights and obligations is established for both spouses to uphold the solidity of this covenant, among which the wife’s right of retention (haqq al-habs) holds significant importance. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine and analyze the wife’s right of retention in Shi'a jurisprudence to determine whether this right is recognized within this legal-religious tradition. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method, investigating the wife's right of retention through a library-based and documentary approach, using note-taking as the primary research tool. The findings indicate that the wife’s right of retention is affirmed and explicitly upheld by the majority of Shi'a jurists. However, the exercise of this right is conditioned upon certain criteria, including the specification of the dower, its non-payment, the immediacy of the dower, and the wife's non-compliance with conjugal obligations (tamkin). According to Shi'a jurists, the fulfillment of the dower in full, the wife’s submission to conjugal duties, or even the payment of the first installment of the dower nullifies the right of retention.