🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #36
A wife wants to continue her studies, perhaps far from home. Does she need her husband's permission, and is maintenance still due?
She should discuss it and gain her husband's agreement because it changes the household arrangements; if he agrees, maintenance remains his obligation.
Seeking knowledge is highly honoured, and Allah raises in rank those who have knowledge (al-Mujadilah 58:11). Yet decisions affecting the home, the children and time together should be made by consultation (ash-Shura 42:38). In the Shafi'i school, maintenance can lapse if a wife leaves and lives apart without permission, but not if she goes with her husband's agreement. Things to agree on: the length of study, who looks after the children, how often she returns or he visits, the cost of study (it is not obligatory maintenance, but he may help), and the safety of her accommodation. For study abroad, consider the questions of mahram and distance. See Rights of husband & wife.
Seeking knowledge is highly honoured, and Allah raises in rank those who have knowledge (al-Mujadilah 58:11). Yet decisions affecting the home, the children and time together should be made by consultation (ash-Shura 42:38). In the Shafi'i school, maintenance can lapse if a wife leaves and lives apart without permission, but not if she goes with her husband's agreement. Things to agree on: the length of study, who looks after the children, how often she returns or he visits, the cost of study (it is not obligatory maintenance, but he may help), and the safety of her accommodation. For study abroad, consider the questions of mahram and distance. See Rights of husband & wife.
Sources
Surah al-Mujadilah 58:11Surah asy-Syura 42:38Surah at-Talaq 65:7