The ruling on being away from one's family for a long period
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
In the questioner's (A. L. 'A) question, he says: Some workers are absent from their wives for many years in order to seek a livelihood. What is the ruling in the Shari'ah, in your view, O Shaykh, regarding a man being absent from his wife for these years? And does he sin?
Answer:
If he is compelled to do so, there is no blame on him. If he is compelled to do so to seek sustenance, there is no blame on him in that. If it is possible for him to bring her with him, he should bring her with him. If it is possible for him to return to her after six months, and then return again, that is good. As it was reported from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he set a limit of six months for soldiers who were away from their wives. If this is possible, it is more cautious and better; otherwise, it is not required. This is because a person may be compelled to work, and it may not be possible for him to return every six months, or less, or more. If he is seeking sustenance and seeking what is lawful, and he does not have in his homeland what would achieve the objective, then he is excused, whether the period is long or short, according to his ability. If it is possible for him to bring his wife with him, that is more complete and more cautious. If she is content to remain and wait for him, and she does not make the matter difficult, there is nothing wrong with it. It is her right if she permits it, so there is nothing wrong. If she demands it, he should bring her with him if it is possible for him, or come to her every six months, or approximately that, if it is possible for him. This is because Allah says: [Surat al-Taghabun: 16]. And if he fears for her because of his absence from her, let him return to her, even if it is every three months, to satisfy his desire and hers. And let him preserve the safety of her religion according to his ability.
The point is: that he should fear Allah as much as he can in bringing her with him, or returning to her from time to time, striving to preserve the safety of her religion and her chastity. And he is excused in seeking sustenance and traveling to seek sustenance. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
In the questioner's (A. L. 'A) question, he says: Some workers are absent from their wives for many years in order to seek a livelihood. What is the ruling in the Shari'ah, in your view, O Shaykh, regarding a man being absent from his wife for these years? And does he sin?
Answer:
If he is compelled to do so, there is no blame on him. If he is compelled to do so to seek sustenance, there is no blame on him in that. If it is possible for him to bring her with him, he should bring her with him. If it is possible for him to return to her after six months, and then return again, that is good. As it was reported from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he set a limit of six months for soldiers who were away from their wives. If this is possible, it is more cautious and better; otherwise, it is not required. This is because a person may be compelled to work, and it may not be possible for him to return every six months, or less, or more. If he is seeking sustenance and seeking what is lawful, and he does not have in his homeland what would achieve the objective, then he is excused, whether the period is long or short, according to his ability. If it is possible for him to bring his wife with him, that is more complete and more cautious. If she is content to remain and wait for him, and she does not make the matter difficult, there is nothing wrong with it. It is her right if she permits it, so there is nothing wrong. If she demands it, he should bring her with him if it is possible for him, or come to her every six months, or approximately that, if it is possible for him. This is because Allah says:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْThe point is: that he should fear Allah as much as he can in bringing her with him, or returning to her from time to time, striving to preserve the safety of her religion and her chastity. And he is excused in seeking sustenance and traveling to seek sustenance. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.