Is the marriage void if the husband fails to observe prayer and fasting, and treats his wife and children violently? Is it permissible to seek help from Canadian law to protect the wife and her rights in this situation? Is reconciliation still possible after all avenues have been exhausted?

Marriage becomes invalid if the husband commits or believes in something that takes him out of Islam before or during the marriage contract and does not return to Islam. If he does something that takes him out of Islam after the marriage contract, then the marriage contract is annulled. The father erred by accepting a husband whose religious commitment was not satisfactory, based on the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) saying: "If someone whose religious commitment and character you approve proposes to your daughter, then marry her to him. If you do not do so, there will be tribulation on earth and widespread corruption." It is advised to end the association with this man through divorce or khul‘ (dissolution of marriage initiated by the wife), and it is not permissible to resort to non-Islamic rulings unless separation is impossible and it is necessary to repel an injustice that cannot be repelled otherwise.