Is it permissible to transfer the ownership of an apartment, purchased with the husband's money but registered in the wife's name, back to the husband after the wife's death, and what is the legitimate (Shariah-compliant) method for doing so?

A man gifting his apartment to his wife on the condition that it returns to him after her death is called "'Umra" (life grant). The majority of jurists do not validate this condition, and the apartment would belong to the wife's heirs, while some scholars deem the condition valid.

The concept of 'Umra according to the majority of jurists is that a man grants his house to another for the duration of his life, and upon his death, it reverts to him. In this case, the ownership is valid for the grantee and his heirs, and the condition of a time limit is void.

However, according to the Malikis and the Shafi'is in their old position, 'Umra is a grant of usufruct (benefits) only, so if the grantee dies, the house reverts to the granter.

It should be noted that the Malikis do not permit a man to gift his dwelling house to his wife.