What is the Shari'ah-prescribed duration for being away from one's wife?

Question : The questioner asks: What is the Shari'ah-prescribed duration for being away from one's wife? And if a man is delayed from being with her for a year or two due to work circumstances, will he be held accountable before Allah for that delay?

Answer : The duration for which a husband is permitted to be away from his wife is not fixed by a specific limit, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: "And live with them in kindness." If the husband is present in the country, it is obligatory for him to treat his wife with kindness, by residing with her and staying in the home where she is, and the like of that. However, if he travels, he may be away for up to six months. But if the woman, meaning the wife, has given permission and is satisfied with it, and her stay in her country is in a safe place where there is no fear for her, then there is no harm in exceeding six months, or a year, or two years, according to what the work circumstances require. May Allah bless you.