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Wife having illegal relations with a man while her husband is working abroad

Question

One of my married friends is out to Gulf since last 3 years without his wife and 2 children due to a sound financial reason. He now recently visited to his place and surprised to know that his wife having some sort of illegal relationship with one other man at his place. he is not 100% sure that his wife had any physical relationship with other man but confident that they have daily verbal communication and going outside with the man in his abbesses, but it seems and he noticed during his visit that they had physical relationship among them because children have noticed and informed that the guy use to come to his house and leaving late nights and taking them out to the picnics. However now kindly advise me what immediate step I have to take in this regard and what Islamic Shariah will say for such abuse act.

Answer

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.

If the matter is as mentioned that this woman has established an affectionate relationship with a marriageable man then she is indeed wrong and she committed a grave sin, especially that she is married. It was an obligation on her to protect herself during the absence of her husband. Allaah Says (what means): {So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allaah orders them to guard. (i.e. their chastity, their husband's property).}[Quran 4:34]. If she persists in doing so, she is a disobedient woman and her husband should follow the legal steps in treating a disobedient wife which are mentioned in Fatwa 89480. Then, if she repents and becomes righteous, all the best, otherwise it would be better for him to divorce her as she might give birth to children who are not from him, and if her husband accepts her as she is, then he is somewhat a cuckold. But it is not permissible to accuse her of adultery without evidence.

Finally, the two following matters should be noted:

1- The husband should endeavour to provide the means for his wife to preserve her chastity, like facilitating her to reside with him according to his ability, or that he should return to his country to reside with her, or not be absent from her more than six months. In this regard please refer to Fatwa 85711.

2- It is not permissible to tolerate marriageable men entering into women without observing the religious requirements, as this causes temptation; in this regard please refer to Fatwa 89331.

Allaah Knows best.

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