The wife left, taking belongings with her

Question

On 1 July 1967, in my absence and without my permission, my wife’s brother, having put her up to it, took her away from the house. The two of them took with them jewellery worth sixteen hundred rupees, a watch worth one hundred and twenty-five rupees and five hundred rupees in cash. Some days later, when I went to Bareilly to fetch my wife and spoke with my father-in-law and others about sending her back, they flatly refused: their intention was to keep all these things, and at the same time they are concerned…

Answer

She has the right to receive the mu‘ajjal mahr. All of your belongings — the watch, the jewellery and the cash — that she took without your permission you may take back from her and count against the mahr. Reason with her and call her back to your home gently and lovingly. If you deal with her with good character, then, in sha’ Allah, the situation will change.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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