A man absent from his wife for three years in search of a livelihood, who heard that his absence for this duration necessitates divorce; is this correct?

The questioner : He says that he has been absent from his wife for three years for the sake of a livelihood, and he has heard some of them say: “Your absence from her for this entire duration necessitates divorce.” So I ask you to be kind enough to answer regarding my situation, may you be rewarded.

The Shaykh : What some of them mentioned to this questioner, that if a man is absent from his wife for three years, then this absence necessitates divorce, is not correct. This is because a man’s absence from his family to earn a livelihood, if it is with their consent and he leaves them in a safe place where there is nothing [to harm them], is not a problem, even if he remains for three years or more. However, it is not befitting for a man to be absent from his family for this duration, because he is in need of them and they are in need of him. Also, if he is absent from them, perhaps with the length of the duration, some of the affection and love may disappear. And he may have children who need care; if he is absent from them for this duration, they will be neglected. So the result is that there is no blame on a man to be absent for this duration if that is with his wife’s consent and she is in a safe place. But the more preferable and better is that he should increase his return and his checking on her and her children, if she has children.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah magnify your reward for what you have clarified for us.