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The question

Is the dowry required to be returned to the husband if a divorce is sought, especially after the husband refused to return her to the marital home and asked her to stay with her family?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

A woman is not permitted to seek a divorce without a legitimate Shar'i (Islamic legal) justification. If the reason for seeking divorce is her inability to live in the same dwelling with his family, then she has the right to demand a separate residence. If he does not provide it, she is allowed to seek a divorce, and it is commendable for him to agree without compensation. However, if the reason is merely her dislike for him, then he has the right to request compensation (khul'). Reconciliation is advised first, as Allah Almighty says: "And reconciliation is best." He does not have the right to leave her in limbo.

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

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