Upon whom falls the error when a wife abandons her husband's bed and refrains from speaking to him for six months, because he did not fulfill his promise to her to travel? And what is the appropriate guidance for them both?

Scholars differ on the ruling concerning fulfilling a promise. The preponderant opinion is that it is recommended (mustahabb) and not obligatory (wajib), and it is recommended to fulfill it whenever possible.

If the reason for the wife abandoning the marital bed is the husband's failure to fulfill his promise, then she has committed a clear error and a manifest sin. This is because she is obligated to respond to her husband for intimacy, and it is not permissible for her to refuse without a legitimate legal excuse, nor is it permissible for her to abandon her husband.

In this case, the wife is considered defiant (nashiz), and her financial support (nafaqah) is suspended until she ceases her defiance. The husband has the right to discipline her according to Islamic law.

The husband should not make promises to his wife unless he is reasonably sure he can fulfill them, in order to avoid satanic whisperings and problems arising from lack of consideration.

Both spouses are advised to exercise wisdom, reason, and adherence to Islamic law in resolving problems, avoiding emotional outbursts.