The ruling on one who leaves his wife and children and then demands they return to him

Our brother (N. M. A. N) from Riyadh is also asking and says: My father married a foreign woman and left our home, leaving my mother and four brothers in the house. This was six years ago. By the grace and success of Allah, I have taken care of them, raised them, and provided for them, as my father used to send a small amount that was not enough to support us, and that at long intervals. For example, he would send maintenance for three months and then stop. I would then contact people of good standing, and they would in turn persuade him to send the maintenance. This would take months, or even up to a year. It is known that Allah has opened the doors of wealth for us and for our father, who is very wealthy. Recently, he has demanded that my mother go to him, taking the small children with her, despite everyone’s refusal. Since good treatment and kindness between them have ceased, my mother refused to go to him. Is she allowed to stay with me? Is she allowed to travel or leave the house without her husband’s opinion, given that since my father left the house, my mother has been asking me about these matters? Please clarify all of this for us. May you be rewarded.
Answer: As long as the father has not divorced her, she must listen and obey and go with him wherever he wants, provided he houses her in a suitable place and suitable residence. She is not required to live with his other wife in the same residence, unless the residence is spacious enough that each has an apartment to herself, in which case there is no harm. She must not disobey him. As for the leniency that has passed, it should be met with tolerance. If she claims her past maintenance, she has the right to it if he gives it to her; otherwise, she can claim it from him in court. If she forgives it, that is better, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting. Tolerance is one of the causes of the continuation of the relationship, one of the causes of pleasant feelings, and prevents your father from being affected by her. Therefore, the best and what we advise is that she forgives what has passed and moves with her husband wherever he wants, provided he houses her in a suitable place. As for what has passed, Allah forgives it for everyone, so it should be met with tolerance. This is what we advise.
As for issues of dispute and litigation, that is for the courts. But this is what we advise your mother: to listen and obey her husband, and not to hold him to the past. She has a right to the past in terms of maintenance. If you provided for her on behalf of your father, praise be to Allah.
The presenter: May Allah bless you. Do you have a word for a husband like this, Your Eminence?
The Shaykh: Yes, we advise this husband to fear Allah, to treat her well, to be just between her and his other wife, and to give her what will make her heart at ease regarding the past neglect, leniency, and lack of maintenance. This is what we advise him to do, because souls are affected by neglect, waste, and abandonment. He should do what pleases the soul and removes what is in the soul regarding his mother or his children. We ask Allah for guidance and success for everyone. This is better than litigation and dispute.