For how many days may a husband live apart from his wife for the sake of study?

Question

There is no provision for education for Zayd in his own area, so for the sake of necessary knowledge he has to go somewhere far away. Now, for how long may he live apart from his wife, given that both are young? He can go home once a year, and that with great difficulty. Will he be sinful or not?

Answer

If the woman is able to bear it and the husband comes home once a year with her permission, then, in sha’ Allah, he will not be sinful; otherwise he will be guilty of not fulfilling her right. He should not stay away for more than four months. Thus in Radd al-Muhtar (vol. 2, p. 398).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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