Father taking his daughter's Mahr with her consent

Q 1: Some people have the habit of giving the Mahr (dowry) to the parents of the bride without giving their daughter anything. Is it legally valid to do that?

A: It is permissible for the father to take a portion of the Mahr of his daughter if she is not in need for it and doing so causes her no harm. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "You and your property belong to your father." (Related by Ibn Majah) The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "The most pleasant of what you eat is that out of what you earn; and your children are from your earnings." This Hadith was reported by the Five Compilers of Hadith (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.