What is the ruling on a woman remaining with a husband who gets drunk, smokes, and brings bad companions into his home?

Question:
My husband gets drunk and smokes. When he comes home, he either brings with him companions of bad character like himself, or he beats me and my daughter. Sometimes he kicks us out of the house, and sometimes he stays out late and leaves us alone in the house. I am afraid for myself and my daughter because of him. Is it permissible for me to ask for a divorce in this situation? I know that it is forbidden for a woman to ask for a divorce without a reason. And if he refuses, is it permissible to divorce him by a court ruling? Please give us a ruling, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. As for what follows, this man who is addicted to drinking intoxicants, may Allah protect us from it, who gets drunk, stays out late, and keeps company with the wicked, is not fit to be the husband of a righteous Muslim woman, so that he does not affect her negatively or harm her, as the questioner mentioned regarding his ugly behavior. She has the right to seek separation through the court, through the Shari'ah court. The court looks into this matter. If he divorces her and frees her from his evil, that is fine. Otherwise, the court looks into this matter and removes this hardship from this woman. Yes. May Allah reward you.