Husband shirking in his responsibilities

Q: I have been married for 16 years to my husband and we have 3 children he now says he wants a talaaq. I was not aware that we had any problems and I recently found out that he is having an affair with a Christian married woman. I do not want our marriage to end because I take my duty as his wife seriously and I will have no means to support our children. I still love my husband greatly. I want to know what my rights as his wife is and can he just decide to abandon his family? His mother and sister are also dependent on him and he is abandoning them as well.

A: It is haraam for him to shirk in his responsibilities. Perhaps you may refer this to some Jamiat or some reputable aalim in your area. Insha-Allah they may be of some assistance to you.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)