What is the legal ruling regarding money registered in the wife's name, given her demand for divorce, while the husband does not desire it?
If the wife requests a divorce without a valid reason, the husband may refuse to divorce her until she returns what he gave her, even if it exceeds her mahr (dowry). This is the view of most scholars. If the husband divorces her without stipulating the return of any money, then she is entitled to her full mahr and all rights of a divorced woman. If the husband gifted real estate to his wife and she took possession of it, he does not have the right to revoke the gift, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "It is not lawful for anyone to give a gift and then take it back, except for a father regarding what he gives to his child," and his saying: "The one who revokes his gift is like a dog that vomits and then returns to its vomit." However, if it was not a gift, but rather the properties were registered in her name to facilitate procedures, then the husband has the right to reclaim them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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