Works abroad and Cannot Bring His Wife where He Works Fatwa No: 85711
- Fatwa Date:1-4-2003
I'm married for six years. But the problem is I cannot bring my wife here because my salary is only 1000 QR. I'm unable to get family visa. I can go to my homeland once in every two years. So what your advise for me? Is it advisable to stay without my wife for so long time? Sometimes it may lead to some mistakes by me. So should I continue to work here or leave this job and stay with my family?
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
If you fear to transgress the Limits of Allah and commit Zina (fornication or adultery), and you are unable to suppress your sexual desires by fasting and the like, then it is not permissible for you to stay away from your wife and subject yourself to temptations. Whatever provision Allah Has prescribed for you will reach you wherever you are. The Prophet said: “The sustenance of each of you shall surely come to him just as the term of his life shall surely come to pass. Therefore, if you find yourself in difficulty because of some need, then ask for your sustenance through obedience to Allah.” [At-Tabaraani]
Furthermore, you should know that it is a duty upon you not to stay away from your wife for more than four months (or six months according to some scholars ) unless your wife permits you to do so. This is because your absence from her subjects her to temptation.
‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, asked his daughter about the length of time a woman can tolerate the absence of her husband from her, to which she, may Allah be pleased with her, replied: “Two months; and in the third month patience decreases, and by the fourth month patience starts fading away.”
Allah knows best.