The Ruling on a Man Being Absent from His Family for a Long Period

Question:
Regarding visiting, the questioner asks His Eminence the Shaykh, saying: I have been residing in Iraq for about two years, and it is possible that a full year passes without me traveling to my family due to work circumstances. Will I be sinful for this?

Answer:
You should strive to visit, but it is not obligatory for you, if your wife is with you, praise be to Allah. As for the wife, she must be with you; you should bring her to you, or visit her from time to time, every six months or less; because the time is dangerous, and there is much evil in society now.
So it is obligatory for you to seek what preserves your wife and the safety of her honor by bringing her to you, or traveling to her from time to time, not for a long period; for her chastity, and considering her circumstances and affairs, and being kind to her, and so on.
As for the parents and relatives, correspondence and kind words, or speaking on the telephone, are sufficient. And if visiting becomes easy, that is more complete and better, yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.