What is the ruling on traveling without consulting one's parents if they sometimes prevent the travel of someone who has reached forty years of age?

Obeying one's parents in what is good is obligatory and is among the greatest acts of devotion. Obedience to them regarding travel differs according to the type of travel:

1. If the travel is to perform an immediate obligation: Their obedience is not binding, because obeying them at that time would lead to disobedience to Allah. "There is no obedience in sin; obedience is only in what is good." 2. If the travel is for a matter less than that (such as a communal obligation - fard kifaaya): The permission and obedience of the parents are required, as in the hadith of the man who sought the Prophet's (peace be upon him) permission for jihad, and he commanded him to be dutiful to his parents.

The questioner is advised to be keen on pleasing his parents and to try to convince them in a kind manner if there is a significant benefit in his travel.