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Fatwa CenterMuslim Wife from Jordan Violates Islamic Practices and Disobeys Husband in U.S
Question
My wife has been with me here in the United States for about a year now and she originally came from Jordan. After she arrived to the U.S, she completely changed and fell astray. She started to verbally abuse and beat me. She also refused to dress in accordance to the Sharia, and would constantly disobey me. She also attempted to commit suicide numerous times by oral means. After persistently trying to talk some sense into her, her situation only got worse and she attempted to put me in jail by cutting her own hand and telling the cops that I had done it. If I want to divorce her, do I have to divorce her back home or can I divorce her here in the U.S since she refuses to go back home? I would also like to know if she still has Islamic rights?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Hasten to return this woman to her country of origin Jordan before the situation gets worse and the things go out of control. If you are able to travel with her, you should do so and explain her situation to her parents. If you think that she will return to her initial situation – if she leaves this bad environment – then we advise you to give her a chance and not hurry to divorce her. Remind her of the fate of bad and perverted people and tell her stories of ancient people who did not abide by Allah's Orders and the Punishment that Allah inflicted on them. Seek the help of pious relatives of yours and relatives of hers. If all this does not have any good impact on her, then divorce her.
Know that the adviser should himself stick to what he advises others to do, abiding by Allah’s Commands and avoiding the prohibitions, if he wants to be convincing.
Know also that most of the dissolute children are a fruit of their parents' own behavior. But if you do not desire to stay with her, divorce her as soon as you arrive in Jordan.
As for the rights of the wife which include expenditure, where to live etc., they are due only to a submissive wife who abides by what her husband tells her.
The Nashiz (wife who refuses to abide by her husband's orders) does not deserve any of these rights.
But in your case, you should not chase this woman from your house, and you should keep on spending on her until you return her to her family.
Allah knows best.
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