What is the ruling of the Shari'ah on a husband's refusal to live near his wife's family, his insistence on living near his mother, given existing disagreements between the wife and the husband's mother, and considering the husband's prior agreement with his wife's family to live near them?

Understanding should be the foundation of married life. If the disagreement about the place of residence continues, the general rule is that the wife follows her husband to his residence. The husband has the right to move his wife wherever he wishes. If this residence is independent of his family, then obedience is obligatory. Fears of harm or disputes with the husband's mother are not considered sufficient excuses to refrain from living near them as long as the residence is independent. If the husband's agreement with the wife's family regarding her right to a residence near them was a condition set before the marriage and the husband agreed to it, then he must fulfill it, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, the most deserving of conditions to be fulfilled are those by which you made intimacy lawful." However, if it was merely a promise, then fulfilling it is commendable.