What is the religious view regarding a wife whose husband is remiss in fulfilling her rights, yet she is obligated to obey him as a wife, given the estrangement between them and her feeling of being unable to give or forgive after 35 years of marriage?

Among the best acts of drawing closer to Allah is obedience to the husband and good companionship with him, as stated in the Hadith: "If a woman prays her five (daily prayers), fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her private parts, and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: 'Enter Paradise from whichever of its gates you wish.'" And the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands, due to the great right Allah has given them over them."

It is not permissible to sever ties with the husband, as it involves neglecting his rights, such as his right to intimacy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If a man invites his wife to his bed and she refuses, the angels curse her until morning."

Therefore, the wife must hasten to repent if she was the cause of the estrangement and try to resolve disputes with gentleness and kindness. If the husband is negligent, it is better to forgive him, be patient with him, and advise him, or involve the children or wise people as mediators. If she cannot bear it, she may refer the matter to a judge to remove the harm from her, but this should only be resorted to if no other solution is found.