What is the ruling on a wife going to her family's home and asking for a divorce due to a dispute that occurred between her and her husband, while her husband does not wish to divorce her? And must she return to the marital home during the 'iddah if he divorces her?

A woman is not permitted to leave her husband's house or seek a divorce except for a legitimate reason, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Any woman who asks her husband for a divorce without any cause, the scent of Paradise will be forbidden to her."

Divorce is a right of the husband, and he cannot be compelled to it except by a Sharia judge in cases of harm.

If the husband divorces his wife with a revocable divorce, she must observe her iddah (waiting period) in her home, as Allah Almighty says: "Do not expel them from their houses, nor should they themselves leave, unless they commit a clear immorality."

However, if the divorce is a khul' (divorce at the wife's instance with compensation) based on the wife's desire and the husband's agreement, she may join her family and observe her iddah with them because khul' is an irrevocable divorce, and her iddah is one menstrual cycle according to the most preponderant opinions.