And if you divorce them before doing intercourse with them, and you settled the prescribed dowry for them, then half of the prescribed dowry is for them except they give up, or the guardian of them give up; and if you are giving up, it is the closest to heedfulness, and you shouldn’t forget your privilege in between you, Indeed Lord Allah is observing whatever you are doing.
If the dowry is settled, but intercourse doesn’t happen, then one can divorce women by giving half of the settled dowry as compensation. In case if the woman’s side is ready to give up the dowry, there is no blame upon him not to pay anything in it. By considering the privilege of males over females, the male should give the whole prescribed dowry.
It is told in verse 4: 32: “And you don’t wish the bounty of Lord Allah bestowed upon some of you. Men should have a portion of whatever they have earned, while women should have a portion of whatever they have earned. And you ask Allah from His Bounties. And indeed, Allah is the Knower of everything!” It is told in verse 83: 26 that the competition should be for entering and enjoying Paradise. See explanation 2: 176, 186, 228, and 3: 133.