What is the ruling on a wife secretly taking money from her husband to cover the costs of her travel to visit her family, knowing his repeated refusal due to financial hardship, and knowing that she has only visited her family once in twenty years?

A wife is not permitted to take anything from her husband's money without his knowledge, except for what has been exempted regarding maintenance according to what is customary and reasonable. This does not include saving for travel without his knowledge. The wife must seek her husband's permission and clarify that the amount is small. Furthermore, a husband's assistance to his wife in honoring her family is among the noble virtues and an act of cooperation in righteousness and piety.