In a muslim marriage, is it acceptable for a husband to choose his parents over his wife? Who is more important? Is it acceptable for the husband to leave his wife in one country for a long period of time and to visit his relatives, when if they are ill? The wife is alone.

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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

First of all, you should know that the husband should balance between the rights of his wife and the rights of his parents, and give each one his right. For more benefit on the rights of the parents, please refer to Fatwa 87019, and for more benefit on the rights of the wife on her husband, please refer to Fatwa 85398.

There is no doubt that the status of the parents is greater than the status of the wife, however, this does not mean that the husband should be negligent about the rights of his wife on him. For instance, he is obliged to provide her with a safe accommodation and spend on her, and he may be absent from her for a period up to six months. However, he is not allowed to be absent from her for a period of more than six months except with her permission. For more benefit in this regard, please refer to Fataawa 85711 and 84073.

Finally, it should be noted that the wife should help her husband especially in being kind to his relatives, like keeping ties with them and the like, as this will strengthen the relationship between you and your husband and make him love you even more; this will lead to a good marital relationship between both of you.

Allaah Knows best.