What is Islam's ruling on a husband who does not provide for his wife, even though she is employed, and demands that she spend on the household despite his financial capability? He becomes angry when she asks for her rights, then takes punitive measures against her and her family because of it. He sends her an official notice demanding her return to the marital home while she is in the period of postpartum confinement (nifas), and deliberately avoids seeing his son? Is divorce the solution in this case? And how should the wife act?

Among the wife’s rights upon her husband are maintenance (nafaqa) and clothing (kiswa) according to what is customary. She is permitted to take from his money what suffices her and her child if he withholds it or is miserly towards her. She is allowed to demand maintenance even if she is employed, unless he stipulated that she waive her right in exchange for allowing her to work. The wife’s salary is her exclusive right, and she is not obligated to spend from it on herself or her household.

The husband must not neglect his wife and must treat her kindly (bi’l-ma’ruf). He is not permitted to prevent her from working except with permission, and she is allowed to go out to work without his permission if he is in financial difficulty or refuses to provide maintenance.

The wife must obey her husband in what is good and customary. If the husband intends harm by her relocation, then she is not considered disobedient (nashiz) if she refuses. It is recommended to refer to the Sharia courts to rule on whether the lack of sufficient assistance justifies refusal to relocate. Divorce is the last resort.