The ruling on a man’s prolonged absence from his family to seek a livelihood

Question:
What is the ruling on a man who is away from his family for a year or more because of the debts he owes and the rights of people, and he cannot travel because of people’s rights? Please advise us, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
There is no harm, if Allah wills, if he travels to seek a livelihood—seeking a means of sustenance—and returns to his family with the provision that helps him to provide for them and be kind to them, or to seek knowledge, or for jihad in the path of Allah. There is no harm even if the period is long. However, if he is able to return to them from time to time for a visit, whether every four months, six months, more or less, if he can manage this for a suitable period, that is good and fine, and he should do so; to please the hearts, to strive to reunite the family, to fulfill the obligatory duty, and to settle the causes of dispute that may arise from his absence.
As for if that is not feasible, there is no harm, but he must keep up the correspondence, send the financial maintenance, and seek forgiveness from his family; so that the hearts are pleased, and so that patience is strengthened on a good foundation.