What is the ruling on a wife seeking divorce from a husband who does not work or provide financially, and who changes the lock on the door every time the wife goes to her family, given that she has been living with her family for more than two years and desires a divorce?

The bond between spouses is strong and firmly established; God has called it "a solemn covenant."

It is not permissible for a wife to seek divorce without cause, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Any woman who asks her husband for divorce without any strong reason, the scent of Paradise will be forbidden to her."

Minor disputes and disagreements between spouses should not be a reason to terminate this covenant.

A wife's departure from her husband's home and her refusal to return is not permissible unless there is harm, and she is not entitled to claim maintenance during this period, because maintenance is conditional upon the wife surrendering herself to her husband.

If the husband is unemployed and unable to provide maintenance appropriate to the wife's circumstances, she has the right to demand maintenance and raise the matter to the judge. Indeed, the absence of maintenance contradicts "holding together honorably," as Allah Almighty says: "Then [hold together] honorably or [separate] with kindness," and as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "There should be no harm nor reciprocating harm."