What is the ruling on a man who is absent from his wife for a year or more without her consent?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you well, O honorable Shaykh: Is it permissible for a man to travel and be away from his wife for a year or more without her consent, given that she has rights during this period?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to be absent from his family for more than six months unless there is a pressing need. If it is for a pressing need, such as medical treatment or the like, there is nothing wrong with it, because he is compelled. As for anything else, it is not permissible, unless she consents and is in a safe place, in which case there is nothing wrong. However, if she does not consent, it is forbidden for him to remain. In that case, we tell her: You have the choice; if you wish, you may remain with him in this state, otherwise you have the right to annul the marriage. We also tell him: Either return to your family, or give her the choice to remain with him or be divorced, so that her right is not lost.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to be absent from his family for more than six months unless there is a pressing need. If it is for a pressing need, such as medical treatment or the like, there is nothing wrong with it, because he is compelled. As for anything else, it is not permissible, unless she consents and is in a safe place, in which case there is nothing wrong. However, if she does not consent, it is forbidden for him to remain. In that case, we tell her: You have the choice; if you wish, you may remain with him in this state, otherwise you have the right to annul the marriage. We also tell him: Either return to your family, or give her the choice to remain with him or be divorced, so that her right is not lost.