My Wife Smokes
Question :
I have a wife who fulfills her obligations to Allah, such as praying, fasting etc., and she is obedient in fulfilling the rights of the husband. But she smokes in secret, and when I discovered this, I punished her and advised her not to continue smoking, but she did not take my advice and continued to do it. In brief, in what way should I proceed regarding this wife?
(a) Is it permissible for me to be patient with her action, since the one who accepts is like the one who does it?
(b) Am I guilty of sin if she continues to do this, and remains in my house? (c) Is it permissible for me to divorce her in order to avoid sin and transgression? I request a solution from Your Eminence, may Allah reward you with the best of rewards and grant you long life for the good of Islam and the Muslims.
Answer:
You must advise her and explain to her the harmful effects of smoking and continuing it, and strive as much as possible to prevent her from smoking. You will have a reward for that, and there is no sin upon you. Because you do not accept her action; indeed, you have rebuked her and advised her, so it is upon you to continue this, even by punishing her with a punishment that will keep her from doing it. And we ask Allah to guide her.
Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 5 Pages 380-381