🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #11
A husband works far away or abroad: how long may he leave his wife?
There is no fixed limit in the texts, but many scholars take a guideline of around four to six months, and anything longer requires the wife's consent.
This guideline is drawn from the four-month limit of ila' in the Qur'an and the practice of Caliph Umar, who is reported to have limited how long soldiers could be away from their wives. Material maintenance remains obligatory throughout the husband's absence. The couple should discuss and agree on the length of absence, regular contact and the wife's safety. If the husband's long absence causes harm and maintenance stops, the wife may refer to the Syariah Court. See Rights of husband & wife.
This guideline is drawn from the four-month limit of ila' in the Qur'an and the practice of Caliph Umar, who is reported to have limited how long soldiers could be away from their wives. Material maintenance remains obligatory throughout the husband's absence. The couple should discuss and agree on the length of absence, regular contact and the wife's safety. If the husband's long absence causes harm and maintenance stops, the wife may refer to the Syariah Court. See Rights of husband & wife.
Difference of madhhab. The Hanbalis explicitly allow a wife to seek fasakh if her husband travels for more than six months without excuse and refuses to return when asked; other schools view it in terms of harm and maintenance.
Sources
Surah al-Baqarah 2:226Surah an-Nisa' 4:19