What should a wife do if her husband goes missing and she is unable to approach a Sharia judge to rule on his death or life?

If a husband is missing, the Sharia (definition) judge will examine his case and determine a waiting period for him, which should be no less than one year and no more than four years. He will then rule him deceased after the expiration of this period. If there is no judge, the Imam of the mosque, along with a group of upright Muslims, will take his place. The distressed wife may also request a divorce due to harm.