Is it permissible for the husband to demand more than the mahr in the case of khul'?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. He says: Honorable Shaykh, this Sudanese brother asks: Is it permissible for a man to demand more than the mahr from a woman in the case of khul'? And is this ruled upon in the courts?

Answer:
It is permissible for him to demand a ransom payment (fidyah) for whatever he wishes, but he should not be excessive in his demand or make the amount too large. Rather, he should be gentle with the woman and her guardian, and ask for an amount that does not involve injustice. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Thabit ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him), when his wife refused to submit to him and asked for separation: "Take the garden, for he gave her a garden as her mahr." He said: "Take the garden and divorce her with one divorce." This indicates that he should not increase beyond the mahr he paid her. If he increases by a small amount, there is no harm, but an excessive increase is disliked. Yes.