Is what the husband did considered a Sharia-compliant khul’ (divorce initiated by the wife) even though the wife did not intend it, and what is the ruling on her money that the husband took, claiming it was his right from the khul’?"

Spouses must live together in kindness, and the wife must obey her husband unless she is overwhelmed by magic or illness. As for the wife's statement, "Perhaps he prefers to separate from me through Khulʿ (divorce at the wife's instance)", this is an informative statement. Even if it were an explicit request, Khulʿ is not valid unless the husband accepts it in the same session and there is a concordance of offer and acceptance.

Therefore, the husband's claim of Khulʿ is incorrect, and he must fear Allah and return his wife's trust (deposit), because consuming people's wealth unjustly is a major sin. Allah has commanded the return of trusts and forbidden their betrayal.

If the husband returns the trust and wishes to separate from his wife, he may divorce her. However, it is better for him to be patient with her and seek reward (from Allah), especially if he knew her condition at the time of marriage. It is not permissible for him to make life difficult for her so that she pays money to free herself.