After how many days of withholding a wife’s maintenance can separation (tafriq) take place?

Question

Question: After how many days of the husband stopping his wife’s food and maintenance (nafaqa) can the nikah be annulled (faskh)?

Answer

There is no fixed period for this. When it becomes unbearable, she acquires the right to have a separation (tafriq) effected through a Muslim court or its substitute (a Shar‘i council). This ruling has been taken from the Malikis; it may be acted upon in cases of dire necessity.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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