The husband's prolonged absence from his wife in pursuit of livelihood

This is a message we received from the Arab Republic of Egypt. It says: My name is Sa'id Ibrahim from the Arab Republic of Egypt, and I work in Riyadh. I am married and have children. I ask about the ruling on a man who leaves his wife for about a year or two while traveling. I have heard that it is not permissible for a man to leave or abandon his family for more than four months, knowing that work conditions do not allow an individual to travel until at least a full year has passed. I ask for your guidance, and thank you.
Answer: There is no harm if a person travels to seek a livelihood, to seek sustenance, to work and earn money to support his family, or if he travels to seek knowledge. It is permissible for him to be absent for more than four months and more than six months. Yes, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) exerted his judgment and used to order a man not to be absent for more than six months if he was able to return to his family. This was part of his judgment (may Allah be pleased with him), and his concern for the chastity of private parts and for the safety of society from dangers. If it is easy for him to visit his family after six months, that is good. Otherwise, it is not obligatory if he is engaged in permissible work, or in a religious work such as seeking knowledge, or in seeking sustenance and earning lawful income to support his family. In this case, he is engaged in important work and there is no blame on him. However, if he fears harm to his family, or fears that the situation will deteriorate between him and them, he should pay attention to returning to them quickly at the appropriate time, and not become so tied up for a long period that it leads to separation between him and his family, or leads to harm for them. This is especially so if he fears corruption for them. He should pay attention to this by moving them with him, or by visiting them frequently rather than rarely, and he should agree with his employer on this matter. Likewise, if he is seeking knowledge, he should strive to visit at appropriate times, such as the summer vacation, or other times when he can visit, so that he combines two benefits: the benefit of seeking knowledge and working, and the benefit of his family, visiting them, and meeting their needs. Yes.