Who is responsible for caring for a sick husband when the wife must work to support the children, and the husband neglected his duties and disappeared?

Summary

Providing maintenance for the family is the husband's obligation according to his means. When a husband neglects maintenance and has been missing for more than a year, the wife is entitled to seek fasakh under section 52 of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984. If she chooses to continue the marriage, the ruling recommends discussing a care schedule with the husband's family, involving his relatives in supporting the children, seeking flexibility from her employer, and applying for baitulmal aid if her income is insufficient. She is also permitted to take from her husband's money only what she and the children need.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.