Najafi Q&A: Dowry

A father kept part of his daughter’s marriage dowry and added it to his personal funds without her permission or relinquishment. What is the ruling on this money? What should the daughter do to reclaim it? And what is your guidance to fathers who take their daughters’ dowries for themselves?

If the due date of the dowry is not specified, and it was not the intention of the couple for it to be immediately due, but they did not pay attention to the timing of its due date, does the due date fall away, or is it understood to be the most likely time, such as the nearer of the two possible dates?

If the deferred dowry is a specific personal item, such as a particular room or apartment, does the wife have the right to sell it if it is no longer in use, considering that she owns the dowry by the marriage contract, but she is not entitled to take possession of it until the due date?