Is it permissible to abandon one's wife for more than a year due to aversion and lack of love, especially after previous futile attempts to live together, and after giving her the choice between divorce or staying with the children while he covers their expenses, she chose to remain with the children?

Allah has legislated marital rights that achieve justice and mercy. Since friction between spouses gives rise to problems, patience and tolerance of mistakes are necessary to preserve the family. Just as the wife is obligated to fulfill her husband's rights, the husband is obligated to fulfill his wife's rights, such as good companionship and enduring what comes from her, in accordance with His, the Almighty's, saying: "And live with them in kindness" and "And due to them is similar to what is due from them, in a just manner."

Perfection is not conceivable in a woman, and there is a natural crookedness in her creation, as indicated by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Treat women kindly, for woman was created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked." Therefore, the husband should enjoy her as she is, and it is not permissible to abandon her unless she is disobedient (nashiz), in which case abandonment should only be in the sleeping place.

If she is not disobedient, then it is forbidden to abandon her, and she must be treated kindly or released honorably. If a woman waives her right to conjugal relations, there is no sin in that, for His, the Almighty's, saying: "And if a woman fears from her husband desertion or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best." Scholars have permitted a woman to waive her right to staying overnight, intercourse, or other rights. If a woman retracts her waiver of her right, she is allowed to do so. If she does not retract, it is advisable to visit her and engage in conjugal relations with her in a way that safeguards her, even if he does not apportion his time for her as he does for another wife.