My ex-husband has my money in his possession. Does it automatically belong to him if we are divorced? 

Q. I have a question regarding a complex situation. I was previously married to a foreigner however we lived in Dubai back then. I worked and saved a lot of money. My husband then went back to his home country and asked/forced me to resign and follow him there we were setting up a business. However arriving there I found he had a family and this wife is not so happy with me being there which led to many fights and arguments until I could not tolerate the abuse as he started beating me. I ran away. I left everything behind even a large sum of money which he refuses to return to me. The money was not meant for the business but its my savings that I transferred to the business account since I didn’t have a bank account. My question is this since I left everything behind and we have since been divorce, do I still have a right over the money? If he used the money for himself is that stealing? What is the Islamic ruling in a situation like this? He told me that since I left he is entitled to it and doesn’t owe me anything.

A. It is unfortunate to hear of your husband treating you in this way. May Allah Ta’ala make it easy for you. Ameen.

In the enquired situation, if you owned the money, then you are the rightful owner of the money even if you are divorced now. Therefore, you may take the necessary steps in retrieving your money.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com