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Is it permissible for a husband to abandon his wife forever, with the presence of four children, neglecting her psychologically and mistreating her, under the pretext of not desiring her, while he commits acts contrary to religion?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is not permissible for a husband to abandon his wife or harm her if she is not disobedient (nashiz). He must treat her kindly, not wrong her, nor divorce her unless with grace. His conversations with foreign girls over the internet are reprehensible, and he must repent from them. The wife should try to understand her husband and the reasons for his abandonment. If she has been negligent, she should rectify it and advise him gently. If the husband does not respond and continues to abandon her, she has the right to take her case to court and seek a divorce due to harm, as abandoning her without a legitimate religious reason, or beating her, or insulting her, is considered harm. The marital relationship should be based on affection, good companionship, understanding, patience, overlooking some matters, and looking at the good aspects of the other partner's character. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A believing man should not hate a believing woman. If he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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