A wife’s Hajj without her husband’s permission
Respected scholar, as-salamu `alaykum. My father married his second wife seven years ago. Since then, he has not bothered to even look at my mother (first wife) nor with his sons and daughter from his first marriage, although we made no fault on our side. He has not been supporting my mother either financially or otherwise since then. He stays separately with his second wife. I have three questions: 1. What are the responsibilities of the husband (my father) to his first wife? 2. Is the relationship deemed void or is it automatically terminated? 3. My mother has plans set to go in 10 days on her second Hajj. My father was asked, and permission was granted by him six months back. All preparations and planning for Hajj were done: Tickets paid for, visa issued, and things spent for. Now, my father suddenly has a change of mind and tells my mother that he does not give his permission for her to go for Hajj. What is the ruling, on such grounds, on seeking the permission of one's husband on going for Hajj? I tried reasoning with my father, but he seems to be adamant for no particular reason other than making things difficult for us.a local imam told me that although permission from the husband is necessary, I need to consider only the first time that was asked and permitted by him; any later change of mind does not count. Please help me in clarifying this situation. Jazakum Allahu k hayran