Is it permissible to beat and insult one's wife in response to her insulting him, and is a woman entitled to seek a divorce when both spouses feel alienated from each other and are harming each other?

It is forbidden to hit one's wife unjustly, as it is among the gravest sins. However, it is permissible to hit her in certain cases, such as when she insults or curses her husband, provided that the hitting is not severe, does not target the face, and is intended for reform and discipline, and ceases once the objective is achieved. As for insulting the wife, it is forbidden unless it is in the form of retribution in kind without transgression, though forgiveness is better. A woman is not permitted to seek divorce unless there is a legitimate Sharia (definition)-compliant reason, such as harm inflicted by the husband through beating, insults, or abandonment without a legitimate cause.