Is it permissible to hold onto one's wife to preserve manhood and dignity, despite her insistence on divorce, her refusal to see her daughter, and the problems having persisted for two years without resolution?

Since the dispute has reached the judiciary, the decision rests with it. However, we advise reconciliation and retracting the divorce if the marital relationship can be sustained. The marital home is exposed to problems that can be overcome with wisdom and patience, for Iblis (Satan) strives to separate spouses. Mediators can be sought for reconciliation. If that does not succeed and you deem it best to divorce, there is no harm, for divorce can be better in cases of poor companionship. It is permissible to refrain from divorcing her unless there is compensation. The wife is not permitted to prevent the father from seeing his daughter, nor to request a divorce without a legitimate excuse. Her leaving your home without your permission is an act of defiance (nushooz) which forfeits her right to maintenance, unless she is pregnant or breastfeeding. The daughter's maintenance is obligatory upon her father, even if her mother is defiant.