Husband offering the Mus-haf as Mahr

Q: Is it permissible for a person to give a copy of the Qur'an as a Mahr (mandatory gift to a bride from her groom) to his wife? What should be done if he divorces her in this case?

A: First: It is permissible for the person to make teaching the Qur'an to a woman her Mahr (mandatory gift to a bride from her groom) at the time of concluding the marriage contract if he does not have money. It is authentically reported in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of (Part No. 19; Page No. 36)  Sahl ibn Sa`d (may Allah be pleased with him) that: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! I have given myself to you. She stood for a long time, and then a man stood and said: O Messenger of Allah! Give her to me in marriage if you have no need for her. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Do you have anything to give her as a dowry? He said: I possess only this lower garment of mine. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: If you give it to her you will not have a garment to wear so look for something else. He said: I have nothing else. He (peace be upon him) said: Look for something else even if it is an iron ring. He searched, and found that he had nothing. Then, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I have married her to you for what you memorize of the Qur'an. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Also it is permissible for a man to give a copy of the Qur'an as Mahr to his potential wife; because a copy of the Qur'an can be purchased and sold according to the soundest of scholars' views. Second: If the spouses get divorced before the husband gives his wife the Mahr he promised her as written in the marriage contract, she will have the right to claim half of the Mahr if he divorces her before the consummation of the marriage and the entire Mahr if divorce occurs after the consummation of marriage unless she gives up her right in one or both cases. They may also agree upon a permissible compensation. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.