What is the ruling regarding a husband who is negligent towards his wife by abstaining from conjugal relations for over a year and a half, despite knowing that she would not refuse if he called her? And what should she do? Is she permitted to seek a divorce due to his refusal to engage in conjugal relations and his claim of having forsaken her?

Spouses must exchange rights and duties and maintain a good relationship. A man is not permitted to abandon his wife in bed for this period unless she is disobedient (nashiz). However, if she is not disobedient, abandonment is not permissible because he is obligated to keep her chaste and to have intercourse with her according to her needs and his ability. Whoever refrains from having intercourse with his non-disobedient wife for four months is considered to be like one who has taken an oath of abstention (muli), and he is ordered to have intercourse or to divorce. If he refuses, the judge shall issue a divorce on his behalf. The wife should investigate the reason for her husband's abandonment and try to resolve it through understanding or family intervention. If that does not work, she may refer the matter to a judge and request a divorce to prevent harm.