Is it permissible to take back one's wife after a clear divorce with the intention to do so, but without providing the gold requested by the sheikh?

A man who has divorced his wife with a revocable divorce (ṭalāq rajʿī) is permitted to take her back during her waiting period (ʿiddah) without the need for a new marriage contract. This is based on the Almighty’s saying: "And their husbands have more right to take them back in that [period] if they want reconciliation." The return (rajʿah) is effected by the man saying: "I have taken you back" (rajjaʿtuki) or "I have returned to you" (irtajaʿtuki). As for returning by action, such as sexual intercourse, there is a difference of opinion among scholars. What the questioner did by taking his wife back during her ʿiddah is a valid return if the divorce was less than three pronouncements, and buying gold is not a condition for the validity of the return.