The Ruling on Being Absent from One’s Wife for Three Years

Question:
I am married and I traveled to Iraq, and I have not gone to my family for three years. Is there a sin that will befall me as a result of what I did? Please guide us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This is a long period that you should not have done; because a woman needs her husband for her chastity and to keep her away from dangers, and you are likewise in need of your wife for chastity and lowering the gaze. So it is obligatory not to prolong the period, and to strive to keep the period short, or to move her with you to your place of work. And if she has given you permission, then there is nothing on you, if Allah wills. But you should always keep the matter in view and ensure the period is short, out of concern for your safety and her safety, and out of concern for the chastity of your private parts and lowering your gaze, and likewise her safety and the concern for preserving her private parts and lowering her gaze. The believer is an accountant of himself who looks at the matter, for if the period becomes long, it is a danger for you both.
So it is obligatory for you to strive to shorten the period a little... to shorten the period until it is short and there is no danger in it, or to move the woman with you to your place of work. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence the Shaykh! I learned from you a statement you specify for a man when he wants to be absent from his wife. What is the period you consider? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh: It is narrated from 'Umar ibn al-Khattab that he used to specify six months (may Allah be pleased with him) , but the time differs; so six months is an approximation as 'Umar said (may Allah be pleased with him) , but in our times the danger is great, due to the spread of corruption, the prevalence of tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment), and the weakness of faith in most countries and most places. The believer should shorten the period, and it should be less than that as much as possible, or he should accompany his wife with him always; because that is closer to his safety and her safety.
The point is that as much as possible, the period should be less than six months, as that is better because of the many dangers for both the man and the woman. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. Is there a word for the women regarding this topic, Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz?
The Shaykh: Yes, the advice is to fear Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), and to strive to preserve her private parts, her reputation, and lower her gaze, and to stay away from mixing with men, or seclusion with men, and to strive to remain in her home. And if it is absolutely necessary to go out, let it be to safe, sound places, and let there be with her some of her sisters in Allah to accompany her; because that is further from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), when there is a dire necessity to go out to fulfill a need.
And the husband should fear Allah regarding his family, and strive to keep the period of his absence short, or strive to accompany her with him wherever he is, out of concern for the safety of them all. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.