After a wife leaves secretly, the husband may keep her again if he wishes

Question

Muhammad Salim was married to Farida Begum; both are residents of Kannauj. Seven children have been born so far from Muhammad Salim. Muhammad Salim regularly went to Kanpur with his father for business, and would also come to Kannauj for a week or ten days for conjugal rights. Then Muhammad Salim’s mother passed away, and after some time Farida’s husband’s younger brother also passed away.

Answer

Farida Begum, from the time she left the husband’s house without permission, is no longer entitled to maintenance (nafaqa); therefore maintenance for this period is not wajib upon the husband. For the husband’s property that she took away, the husband is entitled to recover compensation (daman) from her.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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