Husband making his wife unlawful for him after being angry due to her going out of the house

Q: I have a wife and we have daughters. This concerned wife went out of the house against my will. I looked for her and I found her at one of my relatives' home. I thus became extremely angry and said to myself: "She is unlawful for me like my mother." Now my wife is staying with her Waliy (a legally accountable person acting for a woman) who denies the return of my wife to my place unless a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) is issued in this regard. Thus I hope that your Eminence will provide me with your beneficial Fatwa. May Allah safeguard you.

A: If you said that your wife is "unlawful to you like your mother", this is considered Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative). Accordingly, you have to make a Kaffarah (expiation) of Zhihar and you must not have sexual intercourse with your wife until you offer the Kaffarah. The concerned Kaffarah is to free a Muslim slave, or if you are unable to do so, to observe Sawm (Fast) for two successive months, or if you are unable to do so, to feed sixty Miskins (needy people) by giving each Miskin (needy person) half a Sa` of wheat, dates, rice, or the like of the food of the country. (Part No. 20; Page No. 304) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.