Praise be to Allah,
Hushaym narrated to us from ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Suhayb from Anas ibn Maalik who said,
“The Messenger of Allah freed Safiyyah bint Huyayy and regarded her freedom as her dowry.”
(Musnad Ahmad, 3, p. 99. This hadeeth is Saheeh and its transmitters arc trustworthy ‘thiqaat’.)
Commentary
Dowry is a religious obligation imposed by Islam on the husband, and it is a symbol of the husband’s respect for the woman he wishes to marry. It also is a sign of the weight and dignity of the institution of marriage. The Qur’an says, “And given women [on marriage] their dower as a free gift.” (Soorat an-Nisaa’, 4:4)
Source:
Thulaathiyyaat Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reports of Imaam Ahmad that have only three narrators between him and the Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Saalim as–Saffaareenee al–Hanbalee ~(1114 –1188 AH)