What should a husband do when his wife has stipulated that he sign a promissory note for one hundred thousand Egyptian pounds for her to return to their home after a year of absence, knowing that she refuses reconciliation, demands divorce and all her movable possessions, and prevents him from seeing his son? What are her legitimate rights in the event of divorce? And what is the ruling of Islamic law regarding her actions?

It is permissible to restrict a disobedient wife and refrain from divorcing her until she relinquishes some of her rights, such as the deferred dowry. The husband has the right to demand, in exchange for divorce, what he gave her in terms of dowry and the like, as Allah Almighty says: "And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them, unless they commit a clear immorality." If the husband chooses to divorce her without khul', then she is not entitled to maintenance due to her disobedience.