Assalamu Alaikum - Feeling abandoned while my husband stays with his family abroad
Assalamu Alaikum, I am reaching out to other Muslims for support. I feel so low that I am getting physically sick from anxiety and stress. I reverted to Islam in Europe and my husband is Syrian and born Muslim. We have been together a few years and spent part of that time in a long-distance situation. We live in my country now, where he got a residence permit and stayed with my family as we tried to slowly build our life. We also have a 1.4-year-old child. Almost two weeks ago we went to visit his family in Syria; it was my first time meeting them. We planned to stay a month but started having issues. During our arguments he was harsh, disrespectful and quick to anger. I felt very uncomfortable being there with our child, stressed and mostly alone, while he spent time relaxing with his family and playing on his laptop. His parents were generally okay, but my husband’s attitude made me unable to stay and I changed our ticket to return earlier. I brought our child back home two weeks sooner than planned. He is very angry with me and blames me for rushing, for leaving, for causing trouble, and for asking too much. I have been crying a lot, feeling physically ill from the stress, yet he continues to act the same and rarely checks on me or talks except when necessary. Then he changed his ticket. Instead of returning after two weeks as he should have, he extended his stay for another two months, so he will remain in Syria while I am here with our child. I tried to tell him this is not right - he still has duties toward his wife and child. My parents here are also struggling financially; I don’t have a job and I can’t easily get one because our child is so young. Despite that, he chose to stay and told me to pick: either he comes back after those two months or he won’t come back at all. He didn’t listen when I said it’s too long, especially with a small child. He asked me not to call or text much because he wants to relax and not have problems. He said he hasn’t seen his parents in a long time and deserves this rest. He plans to go out in Damascus, try restaurants, and enjoy himself, making clear it’s his time off and I should not bother him. He says we can try to resolve issues after he returns. Meanwhile I’ll be alone with a small child and little money while he enjoys time with no responsibilities. I feel so hurt. When I try to explain that this is not acceptable, he gets angry. Lately, whenever something hurts and I go to him to talk, he becomes defensive and blames me for being needy or causing trouble. He is cold and I feel like a burden. I have cried and prayed to Allah, but I still feel very sad, alone and anxious. I can’t believe the man who once told me he loved and would support me is now distant, selfish and quick to anger. Please say a calming word and make dua for me - that Allah eases my heart, fixes this situation, brings peace to our family and guides my husband to fulfill his responsibilities. I feel like I’m losing my mind and need the comfort and prayers of fellow Muslims.