He Did Not See His Wife for Eight Months

Question

My wife is righteous and faithful; we have nine children; 20 years have passed since the wedding, and it never came to a quarrel. In 1968 I went on Hajj, and before going I told my wife not to leave the house. But she went once to the cinema, then once to an ‘urs (a festival at a saint’s shrine), then somewhere else, for which my brother beat her severely. When I returned from Hajj, I was told of this incident. On my return from Hajj my brother-in-law (my wife’s brother) had also come to Bombay to receive me.

Answer

Error is inseparable from human beings: whether man or woman, everyone commits some error, small or great. When one regrets an error and repents sincerely, Allah the Pure also forgives. For eight months you kept her apart; this punishment is quite sufficient. During this period you kept giving her expenses; this was a further kindness on your part.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.