Is a husband's threat to his wife that she would be forbidden to him until the Day of Judgment if she speaks to her sisters or visits them considered a divorce oath? And what is the ruling on a husband preventing his wife from visiting her family and taking their son with her, while he allows himself to take the son to his family's house?

Scholars differ concerning an oath to prohibit one's wife. Some deem it zihar, others consider it a divorce, and yet others view it as an oath. The most accurate opinion is that whatever the husband intended by it comes to pass. If he had no specific intention, then it is an oath. If the husband intended by preventing you from speaking with your sisters only matters concerning your life, then the oath is not broken except by this type of speech. However, in the case of coming and going (visiting), the oath is broken. We advise presenting the matter to a Shariah court or scholars. A husband is not permitted to prevent you from visiting your family unless there is a clear harm. He also has no right to prevent you from taking your child to visit your family unless he fears that your family might corrupt his children. It is advisable to discuss this with him with wisdom and gentleness, and to strive for reconciliation between both parties.