A husband should not be absent from his wife for a long period without her consent

Question: If my circumstances compel me to be away from home for two and a half years, according to the conditions of my work in Iraq and my financial situation, what is your opinion, Your Eminence? Is it forbidden to be absent for such a long period? Please guide us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer: This is a long period. You should go to your family from time to time, and then return to your work.
However, if the wife is lenient about it and there is no danger to her, and you know that she is lenient in this matter, and that she is a chaste woman for whom there is no danger in this, then there is no blame on you, if Allah wills.
But my advice to you is that you do not do this, neither you nor those like you. You must go to your wife from time to time and not prolong the period, for a long period carries danger for you and for her. You should go to her from time to time, stay with her for some time, and return to your work every three or four months, and at most six months, and then return to your work.
The point is that you go to your family from time to time, and the shorter the period, the better; because the situation is serious, evil is abundant, and trials are varied in this age. The husband should take these matters into consideration, and strive for the safety of his honor and the honor of his family, and stay away from the causes of trial. It is also incumbent upon those who employ them to allow this and help them toward good; because these are great matters in which cooperation in righteousness and piety and mutual assistance in truth are obligatory between the worker and the employer.