A father taking from his daughter's mahr without her consent

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible for a father to take from his daughter's mahr without her consent or knowledge? Is he required to return it to her, or is it covered by the hadith, "You and your wealth belong to your father"?

Answer:
Yes. It is disliked for him to eat from his daughter's mahr because she is his offspring. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The most rightful thing you eat is from your earnings. Or, "The narrowest of what you eat is from your earnings." It is also permissible for the father to eat from his daughter's mahr what does not harm her, meaning what she does not need. As for what harms her or what she needs, it is not permissible for him to take it. As for the guardian other than the husband, he does not take from her mahr except from him. The guardian other than the father does not take from the mahr of his ward except with her consent, because it is her property and her right. Yes.