What should a wife residing in the UAE, who married in Libya and whose husband resides there, do when she faces continuous problems with him and his family, he has been absent from her for nearly two years, and he does not wish to divorce her, and a shaykh in the UAE issued a fatwa to her stating that there is no absentee divorce since the marriage contract was concluded in another country?

The husband's family must fear Allah and cease harming the wife, because harming believers is forbidden, and it is even more forbidden among relatives. Furthermore, striving to cause discord between spouses (inciting against one another) is not characteristic of Muslims. The husband must treat his wife with kindness, including her right to enjoyment, and be good to his family. The husband must strive to reconcile between his family and his wife and not assist the oppressor. The wife should be patient and meet mistreatment with kindness, and try to solve the problem by looking into its causes. She has the right to request a separate home if that resolves the issue. If the husband does not agree, there is no objection to the mediation of wise people, and if that does not succeed, she has the right to refer her case to the judge.