Is a wife entitled to seek khulʿ (divorce at the wife's instance) if she fears she will not fulfill her duties towards her husband, given that she has mistreated him, raised her voice at him, verbally abused him, and physically assaulted him, and this is after seven years of marriage?

It is not permissible for a woman to seek divorce or annulment (khul') without a valid Shar'i (Islamic legal) reason. Thawban reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Any woman who asks her husband for a divorce without any strong reason, the scent of Paradise will be forbidden to her." And from Uqbah ibn Amir, elevated to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, the women who seek khul' are the hypocrites."

However, it is permissible for her to do so when there is a valid Shar'i reason, such as the wife disliking her husband and fearing that she will not be able to observe the limits of Allah. If the husband refuses the khul', the jurists differed on the permissibility of compelling him to it, and one group held that he should be compelled.

Marriage is built upon patience and overlooking faults. However, in the case of the questioner, where the wife mistreats, assaults by hitting, and refuses married life, and he has been harmed by her rebelliousness (nushooz), there is no benefit in the continuation of the marriage.

The questioner is advised to admonish his wife by Allah and by his rights over her. If she responds, then that is good and excellent. If she does not respond, then he should not hesitate to divorce her or seek khul' from her. He should rely on Allah, who provides for each from His abundance.