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What is the religious ruling regarding the case of a girl who relinquished her rights in a previous case based on her fiancé's promises of compensation, only to discover that he was financially and emotionally exploitative, and then he broke off the engagement and demanded the return of the dowry (shabka), even though the Dar Al-Ifta (House of Fatwas) ruled that it was her right?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

We previously clarified the ruling on the engagement ring (shabka) and to whom it belongs in case of a broken engagement. If the Fatwa Committee of Al-Azhar issues a fatwa that it is yours, then you may act upon their fatwa. As for what your fiancé borrowed from you, he must repay it unless you forgive him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "The wealth of a Muslim person is not permissible except with his willing consent." As for gifts you gave him or his family, you are not permitted to reclaim them. As for his condescension towards you because you are divorced, this is not appropriate, and it is better to break off the engagement and seek someone else. It is not permissible to describe him with hypocrisy or other ugly characteristics without a grievance or seeking a fatwa, because that is prohibited backbiting.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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