Is it obligatory for a wife to seek permission from her husband, who has been absent for sixteen years and does not provide for her, to perform the Hajj, especially if they are in different countries?

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that a wife may perform the obligatory Hajj if she finds a mahram (definition), and her husband is not required to accompany her. He may prevent her from performing a supererogatory Hajj, because the husband's right does not take precedence over individual obligations. Whereas the Shafi'is, in the more authoritative opinion, hold that the husband's permission is necessary for both obligatory and supererogatory Hajj, because her departure would infringe upon his right. The more apparent opinion is that of the majority: if the wife finds a mahram and has not yet performed the obligatory Hajj, then she is not disobedient to her husband if he prevents her. However, if she has already performed the obligatory Hajj, then she may not travel without his permission.