Stopping Wife Abuse

Q: If a woman is being brutally physically abused, also emotionally and financially and the husband’s family knows about it but the wife’s family does not, is it the duty  of the in-laws to inform the wife’s family after trying to talk to the brother to stop abusing his wife and he does not?

A: Undoubtedly it is the duty of the in-laws to speak to their brother/son to stop abusing his wife. They should institute all measures possible to stop these forms of abuse. It is the duty of all concerned parties to use their influence and wisdom to put a halt to this brutality.

If this fails then the wife should contact the Ulema and file for a faskh (dissolution of the marriage).