The Ruling on Being Away from One's Family for Several Years

Question:
The listener is Abdullah Saleh from Jeddah. He sent a message containing several questions, one of which says: I have a relative who is married and traveling, and he has now been away from his wife for seven years, and she is waiting for him. What is the ruling on what he did? And what do you advise him and those like him? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
We advise him and those like him to return to his wife, to fulfill her rights, to seek her forgiveness for what happened, and to provide her with the necessary financial maintenance. This is what is obligatory for him. If there are reasons that necessitated the long absence, let him write to her, inform her of the truth, and seek her forgiveness so that he does not incur blame and so that his wife learns the truth. As for if there is a dispute, if it arises, it is to be referred to the Shari'ah courts that look into personal status matters, or the independent Shari'ah courts.
The point is that this is referred to the Shari'ah court regarding the annulment of the marriage from him if he delayed in returning to her and she did not permit him to remain in her guardianship.
As for him, it is obligatory for him to inform his wife and her family of his situation and the reasons for his delay, and to send the financial maintenance if he is able to afford it, or to seek their forgiveness for it. There must be care taken with this matter; he should not remain silent and continue in his absence without notifying them. If she desires divorce and cannot bear it, let him divorce her and not force her to go to court. And Allah is the Helper. Yes.

The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.