Wife leaving the house

Is the wife obliged to ask her husband for permission to go somewhere when he is not at home?

Regarding this issue, the scholar of the Shafi’an madhhab, Ibn Hajar al Haytami, in his book “Tuhfat al Muhta”j writes the following, “It is a sin and disobedience (depriving wife of support) if a wife leaves the house, that is, the place of residence where her husband is settled, even in his absence (for example, on departure) without permission or a strong assumption that he does not mind its consequences.”

“The exceptions are cases when:

• (1) there is a danger that the entire house or part of it may collapse;
• (2) there is a danger to life;
• (3) there is a danger from wicked person or thief encroaching on the property;
• (4) there is a need to go to a Sharia judge (Imam) to demand from her husband what she is entitled to (provision, etc.) and
• (5) it is necessary to obtain necessary religious (primary) knowledge, obtain an answer to a Sharia question to which (knowledge and answer) cannot be given to her by husband or her mahram (brother, etc.).”

Source: Tuhfat Al-Muhtaj, vol. 8, p. 327