And it is not lawful for you ( men ) to take back ( from your wives ) any of your Mahr ( bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage ) which you have given them , except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah ( e.g. to deal with each other on a fair basis ) . Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allah , then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back ( the Mahr or a part of it ) for her Al-Khul ' ( divorce ) .