Extramarital Affairs
Seems like in this case Islam doesn’t give a specific ruling. Then doesn’t it become a social and personal issue? I would say that the person asking the question is in very difficult situation. Divorce is not a good solution for children or the wife, especially if she would face financial difficulties after divorce. Perhaps the husband will find the right path in a year or two. Divorce will close all doors. Divorce should be the last thing unless the husband is very abusive. Considering that the husband may turn abusive physically or at least psychologically if confronted, here are my thoughts from my experience. 1. If the wife’s family is strong physically and financially, then have them involved to help resolve the issue. Also if husband’s family is fair and just, have them involved too. Sometimes pressure from own family is more influential then from outsiders. 2. If wifes family is not strong physically or financially and the wife would have hard time earning a decent living to live alone as divorced and the husband can be lived with for another several years, then stay quiet, seek Allah’s help to guide the husband and to seek a solution. Focus on the children’s upbringing. Have them well educated in Islam and school education. Once children are strong and mature and inclined to support the mother and by then the husband has not corrected himself, seeks separation or divorce at that time. 3. If there is a possibility that sooner or later the husband will divorce the wife in favor of someone else, then do whatever you can to prepare for it. In this case take the risk and have elders from both side of family involved as soon as possible.