The ruling on a traveler being away from his family for a long period
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Question:
In the questioner’s (A. L. A.) question, he says: Some workers are away 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 away 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 is reported from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he set a limit of six months for travelers away from their wives, namely the soldiers. If this is possible, it is more cautious and better; otherwise, it is not required, 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 lawful sustenance and there is nothing in his country by which he can obtain it, the point is that 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 her right, if she permits it, there is nothing wrong. If she requests it, he should bring her with him if it is possible for him to do so, or come to her every six months, or approximately that, if it is possible for him to do so; 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 only 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; out of concern for the safety of her religion and her chastity. He is excused in seeking sustenance, and traveling to seek sustenance. Yes.
In the questioner’s (A. L. A.) question, he says: Some workers are away 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 away 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 is reported from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he set a limit of six months for travelers away from their wives, namely the soldiers. If this is possible, it is more cautious and better; otherwise, it is not required, 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 lawful sustenance and there is nothing in his country by which he can obtain it, the point is that 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 her right, if she permits it, there is nothing wrong. If she requests it, he should bring her with him if it is possible for him to do so, or come to her every six months, or approximately that, if it is possible for him to do so; 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; out of concern for the safety of her religion and her chastity. He is excused in seeking sustenance, and traveling to seek sustenance. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.