What is the ruling on a husband going out at night with his friends for shisha and card games for entertainment, leaving his wife alone or with her family while she is displeased, especially since she is a stranger in the country and fears staying alone at night?
Scholars differ regarding the obligation of a husband to spend the night with his wife. Some hold that it is not obligatory, while others maintain that it is obligatory to spend one night out of every four. Still others say that he is required to spend enough nights at home to dispel the loneliness and foster companionship, without a fixed schedule.
If the marital home is desolate and the wife is harmed by staying there alone, many scholars are of the opinion that the husband is obliged to provide her with a female companion.
If the husband spends the night outside the home without a valid excuse, thereby exposing his wife to harm, he has no right to do so, and this is not part of "living together in kindness" (معاشرة بالمعروف). However, if he goes out and then returns to spend the night with her, there is no blame upon him. Nevertheless, it is preferable for him not to be absent without a benefit.
He should be advised to stop staying out late without a valid excuse, especially if he spends his time in impermissible activities. It is recommended to help him utilize his time in what benefits him and to encourage him to attend scholarly gatherings and associate with righteous people, while ensuring that his rights are fulfilled and that he is treated with kindness as a husband.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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