What should a man do whose wife neglects her home, her husband, and their daughter, applies makeup upon returning from work and after her private lessons outside the home, insists on working despite his request for her to quit, defies him, and stipulates that she will not return to their home unless she continues her work?

If the wife behaves as you described, she is disobedient to her Lord and neglectful of the rights of her husband and child. She should have reciprocated your kindness with kindness. A woman's going out to work is restricted by Shar'i regulations, including the husband's permission, avoiding ostentation (tabarruj), and not neglecting the rights of the husband and children. Your wife must obey you in your prohibition of her working, and she has no right to refuse to return home and make work a condition for her return.

We advise seeking the help of wise people to counsel her and urge her to obey you. If reconciliation is not achieved, then consider what is better: divorcing her or being patient with her. Sometimes divorce may be better if the continuation of the marriage becomes pure corruption and harm, as Ibn Qudamah mentioned.