Withholding Mahr And Maintenance

QUESTION:

My husband divorced me in March. In 2025, he had loaned my Mahr to pay for expenses. He said that he will return my kruger coin to me, but it is now June 2026, and he refuses to give my coin back. Also, we share two daughters and he refuses to pay maintenance for them. How can I resolve this issue especially since he is the one who initiated the divorce?

ANSWER:

It is incorrect for your husband not to return your Mahr. If he does not return it in this world, he will be very regretful in the Aakhirah when he will have to pay for it with his good actions. Allamah Ibn Nujaim Rahimahullah writes in his Kitaab, “Al Ashbah Wannadhir“, that a person will be commanded to give 700 accepted Salaah on the day of Qiyaamah in lieu of usurping one Daaniq (one sixth of a Dirham) from another person.

جَاءَ فِي بَعْضِ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّهُ يُؤْخَذُ لِدَانَقٍ ثَوَابُ سَبْعِ مِائَةِ صَلَاةٍ بِالْجَمَاعَةِ (الأشباه ة النظائر 1/33)

Furthermore, if he has the means to pay for it or return it and he is intentionally not repaying or returning it, then this is a form of oppression.

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏”‏مطل الغني ظلم الترمذي #130

Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “It is an act of oppression on the part of a person to procrastinate in fulfilling his obligation.”

Also, it is the father’s responsibility to provide for the maintenance of the children. If he fails to do so, then due to the absence of a Qadhi, you should approach a reputable Darul Ifta or Jamiat in your town to contact your husband who will compel him to give maintenance for your children, even if he has to sell the scrap metals. You may also request the Darul Ifta or Jamiat in your town to assist you to recover you Mahr from your husband.

نفقة الأولاد الصغار على الأب لا يشاركه فيها أحد كذا في الجوهرة النيرة ….فإن أبى أن يكتسب وينفق عليهم يجبر على ذلك، ويحبس كذا في المحيط وإن كان لا يقدر على الكسب يفرض القاضي عليه النفقة ويأمر الأم حتى تستدين على زوجها، ثم ترجع بذلك على الأب إذا أيسر، وكذا إذا كان الأب يجد نفقة الولد يمتنع من الإنفاق يفرض القاضي عليه النفقة، ثم ترجع الأم عليه بذلك، وكذا لو فرض القاضي على الأب نفقة الولد فتركه الأب بلا نفقة واستدانت وأنفقت بأمر القاضي كان لها أن ترجع بذلك على الأب، ويحبس الأب بنفقة الولد، وإن كان لا يحبس بسائر ديونه (الفتوى الهندية 1/560)
Re: Fatawa Uthmaniyyah Vol.6 Pg.420

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 06 Muharram 1448 / 22 June 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb