Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Mahr (dower) is a sum of money which the Muslim husband agrees to pay to the wife as a mark of respect for her for agreeing to marry him. Since Muslim marriage is a contract, it is necessary that dower must be specified at the time of marriage and if it is not specified it can be presumed.
Reason (R): If not paid earlier, Mahr becomes due on death of the husband or the dissolution of marriage by divorce.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Both the assertion and reason are correct. Mahr is a mandatory consideration under Muslim marriage, and it becomes due if not already paid upon death or divorce. The reason (R) correctly explains the assertion (A).