What is the ruling of Islamic law regarding a wife who refuses to perform prayers and wear the hijab, and stipulates that her husband cease advising her on religious matters and some religious rituals in order for her to return to their home? And must the husband pay the deferred dower in the event of divorce, given her disobedience?

It is the wife's right that her husband teach and guide her in matters of her religion and worship. If she refuses to comply, he will have fulfilled his duty. She does not have the right to compel him to abandon his worship or prevent him from going to mosques and reading religious books.

We advise attempting to reform the wife and invite her to the truth with the best approach. If she insists on her stance, then she is disobedient (nashiz), and the husband has the right to compel her to return through the judiciary, or demand the dower (mahr) from her and seek a khul' divorce, or divorce her while waiving the dower. However, if he divorces her without doing so, he is obligated to pay the remainder of the dower.