The Muslim widow's right of retention of possession of her husband's property in lieu of her dower debt…

As established by the Privy Council in Maina Bibi v. Chaudhri Vakil Ahmad (1924), a Muslim widow who has lawfully obtained possession of her deceased husband's estate in lieu of her unpaid dower has a right to retain that possession until her dower debt is satisfied. This right of retention does not confer proprietary title on her and gives her no authority to alienate the property for value or gratuitously by sale, mortgage, or gift.