Is a husband entitled to prevent his wife from visiting her family for a long period, knowing that he allows her to go to her work alone and procrastinates in attending to her essential needs? Is she permitted to attend to her needs without his knowledge?

It is obligatory for the wife to obey her husband in what is permissible. It is his right that she not leave his house except with his permission, unless there is a necessity; in such a case, she is permitted to leave, even if the husband has not given her permission, as jurists have stipulated. If the husband provides for the wife's needs, she should not leave except with his permission; otherwise, she may leave to fulfill her essential needs. Preventing the wife from visiting her family is a matter of disagreement among scholars. The husband should permit her to visit them from time to time, according to custom. Both spouses must show understanding and consider each other's circumstances.