Those who said an absent man owes maintenance: he either sends it or divorces

Nafi' (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote an order to the commanders of the armies sent to various regions: Order those who are away from their wives to return to their wives; either they should part from them or send them maintenance. Whoever wishes to part from his wife should also send the maintenance that he has not yet sent.

Umar bin Abd al-Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote this letter to his governors: Whoever has been away from his wife for two years should either divorce her or return to her.

Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whoever has been away from his wife for two years should either divorce her or return to her.

Al-Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: When a man has been away from his wife for a long time, he should either provide maintenance for his wife or divorce her.

In the view of al-Hakam (may Allah have mercy on him), maintenance is not obligatory upon a man who is away from his wife.

Al-Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whoever has been away from his wife for a long time should either send her maintenance or divorce her.