What is the ruling on a husband staying out of the house daily until midnight to play cards ("sheedah") with religious friends who only refrain from this during Ramadan, when this causes the husband to neglect his children and wife, and leads to problems that could result in divorce?

Staying up late after the 'Isha prayer is disliked because it can lead to missing the Fajr prayer. Playing backgammon (nard) is forbidden if it involves gambling, or if it leads to missing an obligatory duty, or to unlawful mixing. It is also considered a breach of chivalry (muru'a). Many scholars have deemed it absolutely forbidden because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever plays with nardashir is as if he dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig," and "Whoever plays with nard has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger." The testimony of one who repeatedly plays it is not accepted by many jurists. What is said about nard also applies to all games that do not have a worldly or religious benefit, due to the waste of time involved, for which a person will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.