Is separation from a husband—who travels frequently and returns to be irritable, abusive, and cursing over the trivialest of reasons—forbidden, or should official divorce proceedings be initiated, especially given the presence of a daughter who is not yet married, and with the impossibility of living together?

If the husband agrees for his wife to stay with their daughter, far from him, then there is no harm, and it is not forbidden for her to reside far from him, nor is she obliged to seek a divorce. However, if the husband requests her return to his home, she must obey him, and it is not permissible for her to refuse, nor to leave his house without his permission except out of necessity. If she is unable to fulfill his rights, she may seek khul' (divorce initiated by the wife). It is preferable to strive for reconciliation, to be patient with the husband, and to overlook his mistakes.