What is the ruling on the marriage of a woman who left her husband's house seven months ago, and her husband has not sought to reconcile with her? Is she considered divorced, or is she still under his marital authority?
It is not permissible for the wife to leave her husband's house without his permission, except for a legitimate excuse. By doing so, she is considered disobedient (nashiz). Nashuz is the wife's disobedience to her husband in matters that marriage obliges her to fulfill. So, if she refuses his bed, or leaves his house without his permission, or refuses to move or travel with him, then she is not entitled to maintenance (nafaqa) or lodging (sukna), according to the general consensus of scholars. If her disobedience (nashuz) is proven, she is not entitled to maintenance unless she is pregnant. A husband's abandonment of his wife for seven months does not sever the marital bond between them unless he pronounces her divorce.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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