until she gives him part of her dowry, nor may he beat her for that purpose. But if she commits a clear indecency, he may constrain her so that she pays compensation to secure her release from the marriage; he may also beat her. This concerns the matter as it stands between the man and Allah. As for “the woman’s family,” they should ascertain who is in the right and support that person in securing their rights. If it becomes clear to them that she is the one who has transgressed Allah’s limits and wronged her husband in his marriage bed, then she is acting wrongfully and transgressing, and should pay compensation to secure her release from him.

If he says that he sent her to a wedding but she did not go there, he should ask where she went. If he states that she went to people among whom there is no cause for suspicion, and those people confirm her account, or say, “She did not come to us,” while she did not go to the wedding either, then this is cause for suspicion and strengthens the husband’s claim.

As for the “bridal trousseau” she brought from her father’s house, he must return it to her in all circumstances. If they reach a settlement, reconciliation is best. Whenever the woman repents, her husband may retain her as his wife, and there is no blame in that, for one who repents of a sin is like one who has no sin. If they cannot agree on her return to him, she should release him from his obligation to pay the dowry, and the husband should grant her a divorce in exchange. Such a divorce is permissible according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, as Allah Most High says:

“But if you fear that they will not keep within the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself.”

And Allah knows best.