What is the legal ruling regarding the continuation of a husband's financial support for his wife and son in the event of the wife's disobedience (nushuz), and what is the ruling on the actions of the wife's father in depriving the husband of his family? Does the husband have the right to claim compensation for the material and moral damages resulting from this, and what is the legal solution for child custody? How should the husband deal with his wife's request to resume marital relations while she is at her family's home?
Firstly: It is not permissible for the wife to leave her husband's house without his permission, except for a legitimate excuse. Doing so is considered nushuz (disobedience), which forfeits her right to maintenance.
Secondly: A disobedient wife is not entitled to maintenance. However, the child's maintenance is obligatory upon his father according to what is customary.
Thirdly: The deferred dower (mu'akhkhar al-sadaq) is a debt owed by the husband, which he must pay upon its due date or upon divorce, even if the wife is disobedient.
Fourthly: The custody of the child belongs to the mother if she meets the conditions for custody. Disobedience does not affect custody.
Fifthly: The wife must obey her husband by moving to the marital home. The husband is not obliged to cohabit with her in her parents' home unless she enables him to move her to wherever he desires.
Sixthly: The husband may sue the wife's father for material and moral damages. However, forgiveness and forbearance are advised.
Seventhly: What the wife's father does by preventing his daughter from her husband and instigating her against him is a great evil, a sin, and an injustice, and he must repent.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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