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What is the ruling of the Sharia on a husband who prevents his wife from having the key to her apartment, controls her salary, forces her to live near his family despite a prior agreement not to do so, lies to her, and cuts off communication with her and their daughter?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The husband is obligated to provide independent housing for his wife, even if rented. He is not obligated to hand over the apartment keys merely based on a promise, unless it was part of the mahr (dowry). Obedience to the father is obligatory in matters of good, not in matters that lead to the forbidden (haram). The wife has the right to reclaim what she spent on furnishing the apartment if the intended purpose of her assistance is not achieved. Affection and respect should prevail between the two families. The husband does not have the right to compel his wife to reside in non-independent housing, nor is he permitted to be absent for more than six months without her consent. The wife's salary is her exclusive right, and the husband is not permitted to take anything from it except with her consent. Lying between spouses is permissible within legal Islamic limits. Understanding, respect, and striving for reconciliation are recommended.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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