Is it permissible to seek divorce from a husband who has abandoned his wife for more than five years, refuses to have children, and refuses to treat her for the illnesses she suffers from?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Bearing offspring is one of the greatest purposes of marriage and a right for both spouses. The husband is not permitted to abandon his wife for such a long period unless she is disobedient (nashiz). A husband's neglect of his wife during her illness is a reprehensible act. We advise you to be patient, counsel him, and seek the help of sensible people from his family. If your situation becomes unbearable, you may seek a divorce due to harm, but do not rush into it, as it has detrimental effects, especially on children.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/150614
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 150614
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy