The Ruling on Cursing the Wife and Is She Forbidden Thereby?

Question :

What is the ruling on a husband intentionally cursing his wife? And does the wife become forbidden to him because of his cursing her? Or does she become divorced?
And what is the atonement for that?

Answer:

A husband cursing his wife is a detestable matter and it is not permissible. In fact, it is one of the major sins, according to the narration confirmed from the Prophet which he said:
"Cursing a believer is like killing him."

He also said:
"Verbally abusing a Muslim is disobedience, and fighting against him is disbelief".

And he said:
"Those who curse will neither be martyrs, nor will they receive intercession on the Day of Resurrection."

It is incumbent upon him to turn to Allah in repentance (Tawbah) due to this, for whoever turns to Allah in sincere repentance, Allah turns to him with forgiveness. His wife remains married to him, and she is not forbidden to him merely because he cursed her. But it is incumbent upon him to live with. her with the kindness due to a wife, and to guard his tongue from every saying which angers Allah, Most Glorified. As for the wife, she is also required to guard her tongue from what angers Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful and from what angers her husband, except in truth. Allah, Most Glorified says:
"and live with them honourably."

- and He, the Almighty, the All-Powerful says:
"but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them."

And Allah is the Granter of success.