I have the intention to travel to Makkah to spend the last 10 days of Ramadan 2011, inshaa Allah. However, my wife will not be able to accompany me (as she does not have the physical capability to stand the 10 days and the long travel). She says she does not want me to leave her as she would be staying alone at home for 10 days. What should I do for the last 10 days: go to Makkah or stay with my wife?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you are asking about whether or not it is permissible for you to go for ‘Umrah and leave your wife at home, then the answer is that it is permissible for you to go if you will leave her in a safe place whether at your home or at her parents’ home or anywhere else.

However, a wife should help her husband in doing good especially about Hajj and ‘Umrah as the Prophet said: “All sins committed in between (the performance of) one ‘Umrah and another are expiated.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet also said: “Alternate between Hajj and 'Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the blacksmith’s bellows eliminates impurities from iron and gold and silver.” [Ahmad, An-Nasaa’i, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

It might be that you go to Makkah and supplicate Allaah to cure your wife and grant her good health and Allaah would cure her of her disease.

On the other hand, if you would leave her in a place that is not safe, then it is not permissible for you to go and leave her to be harmed.

Allaah Knows best.