Ruling on the suitor reclaiming what he paid to the prospective bride

The question: We received a letter from the questioner (A. Abdul Hamid Morsi), an Egyptian working in Jordan. He says: I proposed to a girl three years ago, and I gave her a necklace and prepared everything, including the appliances and other things. Suddenly, her mother refused, and my marriage to her became impossible, knowing that the girl is not to blame for any of this. Do I have the right to reclaim everything I gave, such as gold and other things, or not?
The answer: Yes, you have the right, my brother, to what you gave; because you gave it so that they would give you the girl. If they prevent the girl, it is obligatory for them to return what you gave them, whether little or much. It is obligatory for her mother to fear Allah. If you are suitable for the girl in your religion, and there is no religious barrier, and the woman is willing—the girl is willing—and there are no legal impediments, then it is obligatory for her to assist in good and not to prevent the marriage of her daughter to you. This is the obligation; because marrying off daughters is among the most important matters, due to the chastity it provides for them and the care for their safety from corruption. Likewise, marrying off young men is among the most important matters, due to keeping them away from danger and enabling them to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: It is agreed upon on its authenticity. This authentic hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) clarifies for us that hastening to marry young men is a necessary matter, and the correct view is that it is obligatory, due to the great good and the immense benefits for both the male and the female.
Therefore, fathers, brothers, and relatives must assist in this, and help the young man to marry and help the girl to marry, and not put up obstacles. Likewise, one should be lenient regarding mahr (bridal gifts) and wedding feasts; because they are also an obstacle. It is obligatory for everyone to cooperate in good and advise one another to truth. So the mother helps, the father helps, the uncle helps, and the brother helps, whether in the matter of the mahr and lightening it, or in the matter of the feasts, or in the matter of the accessories of the mahr. In all of these, lightening is necessary, and lightening is prescribed, along with assisting in good.
And if the girl is good and kind in her religion, one should hasten to propose to her. And if the man is good, one should hasten to accept him and respond to his request, and hasten to marry him off; because the righteous young man is a gain, and the righteous girl is a gain. So it is not permissible for a believer, if he is a father or a mother, to obstruct these matters. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.
In any case, if a man proposes and gives the mahr, clothing, and other things, and then they reject him, it is obligatory for them to give him back everything they took from him. It is obligatory for them to return to him everything they took from him, whether little or much, except if he permits them to keep something. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.