What is the iddah period of a woman who deserts her husband? Is the marriage
nullified, or must the husband pronounce the divorce, or does a kuli’ go into
effect?

Praise be to Allah;

If a woman deserts her husband, the marriage contract will not be nullified. It remains valid until
the husband divorces the wife, the wife gets a divorce (khul’), or the Qaadi (judge ruling
according to Islamic shari’ah) annuls the marriage contract.

Allaah knows best.