Is it permissible for a wife to communicate with her family without the knowledge of her husband, who forbids her from doing so at his mother's command, especially since she lives in another country and does not visit them, and her husband orders her to cut off communication even with her brothers and sisters, limiting her to calling her mother once a week? And is it permissible for the husband to obey his mother in this regard?

The wife must maintain ties of kinship, at the minimum level of connection, which includes communication, greetings, and checking on their well-being. It is forbidden for her to sever ties of kinship, as it is among the grave sins. She is permitted to communicate with them without her husband's knowledge if he forbids her, because there is no obedience to a creature in disobedience to the Creator, and maintaining ties of kinship is among the greatest acts of righteousness. A woman's maintaining ties with her mother does not absolve her of the obligatory duty to maintain ties with her other kin. The husband is not permitted to prevent his wife from maintaining ties with her kin, and it is also forbidden for him to sever ties with his own kin. Both spouses are advised to counsel each other gently and kindly regarding maintaining ties of kinship, due to the blessing it brings in sustenance and lifespan.