Is it permissible for a wife to seek divorce from her husband who drinks alcohol, talks to women, does not pray, and mistreats her and her family, especially since she has a young daughter?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the husband is as described—neglecting prayer and drinking alcohol—he is derelict in his duty to his Lord and unjust to his wife.
Originally, it is not permissible for a wife to leave her husband's home without his permission, except for a legitimate religious reason, such as averting harm from his aggression against her. If she has no such excuse, she must return to her home and advise her husband. If he repents, then praise be to Allah. Otherwise, she should seek a divorce. She is not obliged to obey her father if he prevents her from seeking a divorce, for "obedience is only in what is right."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/98209
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 98209
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy