The Status of the Right of Refusal of the Wife in Cases of Unspecified Dowry in Comparative Jurisprudence and Iranian Law

This study examines the status of the right of refusal in the context of marriage with deferred dowry and sexual rights within Imamite jurisprudence and Iranian law. The primary question addressed is whether a wife in a marriage with deferred dowry or sexual rights—specifically, where the dowry is not specified in the contract or its determination is postponed until after the marriage- can withhold her marital duties until the dowry is determined and delivered. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method with a comparative approach, initially reviewing and analyzing various legal and Fiqhi perspectives on the issue. In Imamite jurisprudence, some jurists recognize the existence of the right of refusal for the wife in such marriages, while others deny it. In Iranian law, the Civil Code does not explicitly address this matter, and legal commentators exhibit differing opinions. Ultimately, this research concludes that the right of refusal for the wife in marriages with deferred dowry and sexual rights cannot be substantiated. This conclusion is justified based on Fiqhi principles such as the prohibition of harm (Lā dharar) and the alleviation of hardship (Nafy-e Usr o Haraj), as well as legal principles like the promotion of family stability and the broad interpretation of Article 1085 of the Civil Code.