Is the wife entitled to claim half of the house, having contributed to its household expenses for 19 years, knowing that the husband paid three times what she paid, and he agreed to her staying in the house after the divorce and inheriting her legal share, but she refused?
The wife is not obligated to pay for household expenses unless the husband stipulates it. If she pays willingly, it is a gift, and the house is solely the husband's property. If she pays out of fear, the husband must return the money, and the house remains his property. The wife is not permitted to retract a gift, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "It is not permissible for a man to give a gift or grant a donation and then retract it, except for a father concerning what he gives to his child." A judge's ruling does not make the unlawful lawful. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the details of the wife's intention when paying: whether it was a gift, a loan, or due to fear. If it was a loan or due to fear, it must be returned. Reconciliation between the spouses is permissible.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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