QUESTION
Peace be upon you. I have a question. Is it permissible to use cryptocurrency coins as dowry (mas kahwin)? Thank you.
SUMMARY OF THE ANSWER
In Malaysia, cryptocurrency or crypto coins are not yet recognized as a legal medium of exchange like the Malaysian Ringgit (RM), as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has not given official recognition. However, in the current Malaysian context, cryptocurrency is considered a tradable commodity and an asset. Based on this concept, cryptocurrency can be used as a dowry (mahr), and it is considered permissible (valid) in Islamic law.
EXPLANATION OF THE ANSWER
Mahr, or dowry, is a mandatory gift that must be given by the husband to the wife. In fiqh terminology, mahr refers to the property that must be given by the man to the woman as a condition for a valid marriage contract, which then legitimizes the relationship between the two.
(Rujuk: Al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’e, 4/109-110)
Seterusnya, tiada had tertentu bagi jumlah mahar, baik dari segi jumlah minimum mahupun maksimum. Sebaliknya, semua perkara yang bernilai, boleh dijual, atau disewakan boleh dijadikan mahar, sama ada berbentuk ‘ain (barang tersebut), hutang, atau manfaat. Ini termasuklah benda yang sedikit atau banyak, seperti sebuah kereta, wang tunai bernilai 10,000 dirham, atau sebuah rumah. Malah, mahar juga boleh diberikan dalam bentuk mengajarkan sesuatu ilmu, seperti ilmu Al-Quran, kepada isteri.
(Rujuk: Al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’e, 4/113)
This is in accordance with the words of Allah (SWT):
وَأُحِلَّ لَكُمْ مَا وَرَاءَ ذَلِكُمْ أَنْ تَبْتَغُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ
Maksudnya: “Dan dihalalkan bagi kamu selain yang demikian (iaitu) mencari isteri-isteri dengan hartamu.”
Surah al-Nisa’ (24)
Ayat ini hanya menyebut harta (ال (ا) secara umum tanpa menetapkan bentuk atau kadar harta secara spesifik. Begitu juga, panduan Rasulullah SAW melalui hadisnya:
أَعْطِهَا وَلَوْ خَاتَمًا مِنْ حَدِيدٍ
Maksudnya: “Berikanlah kepada perempuan itu walaupun sebentuk cincin besi.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (4741)
Dalam sebuah hadis Amir bin Rabi’ah RA memperihalkan pendirian sebegini dengan lebih jelas, hadisnya:
أَنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ بَنِي فَزَارَةَ تَزَوَّجَتْ عَلَى نَعْلَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَرَضِيتِ مِنْ نَفْسِكِ وَمَالِكِ بِنَعْلَيْنِ. قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَأَجَازَهُ
Maksudnya: “Seorang perempuan daripada Bani Fazarah berkahwin dengan mas kahwin sepasang selipar. Maka Rasulullah SAW bersabda: “Adakah kamu reda mendapat sepasang selipar sebagai mas kahwin?” Perempuan itu menjawab: “Ya!” Lalu Baginda membenarkannya.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1113)
Regarding the status of cryptocurrency, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) issued its first statement about Bitcoin on January 2, 2014, on its official website. In the brief statement, BNM emphasized that Bitcoin is not recognized as a legal tender in Malaysia, and BNM does not regulate its operations. Therefore, the public is advised to be cautious of the potential risks that may arise from the use of such digital currencies.
Although cryptocurrency has not yet been recognized as a legal tender like the Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and other currencies, it is still considered a tradable commodity and an investment asset. Based on this concept, cryptocurrency can be used as a form of dowry (mahar) because it is recognized as something of value, just like other valuable items.
Wallahu a’lam.
[1]
https://www.bnm.gov.my/-/statement-on-bitcoin#:~:text=The%20Bitcoin%20is%20not%20recognised,usage%20of%20such%20digital%20currency
[2]
https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/10/07/investors-still-wary-on-cryptocurrencys-shariahcompliance/
Sumber Asal:
https://www.muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/4958-al-kafi-1822-hukum-menjadikan-matawang-kripto-sebagai-mas-kahwin