His Wife Has Bad Manners,Should He Divorce Her?

Question :

There is a wife who habitually curses and reviles her children and sometimes beats them for every large and small mistake. I have advised her many times to stop this habit, but her reply is: "You have spoiled them and now they are badly mannered." So that now the children hate her and they no longer listen to her words at all, even though they know that in the end they will be scolded and beaten. What is the view of the religion in detail regarding the measure I should take with this wife, so that she will take heed? Should I stay away from her by divorcing her, and leave the children with her? Or what should I do? Advise me and may Allah grant you success. And peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Answer:

Cursing one's children is a major sin, as is cursing others who do not deserve being cursed. And it has been confirmed from the Prophet that he said:
"Cursing a believer is like killing him."

He also said:
"Verbally abusing a Muslim is disobedience, and fighting him is disbelief."

And he said:
"Those who curse will neither be martyrs nor will they receive intercession on the Day of Resurrection."

So it is incumbent upon her to turn in repentance to Allah, Most Glorified, and to guard her tongue from abusing her children. It is legislated for her to supplicate much for their guidance and piousness, and it is legislated for you, the husband, to advise her continually and to warn her against reviling her children. If advising her does not work, then you may abandon her as much as you think is beneficial, with patience and reflection, and without divorcing in haste. We ask Allah to guide us, you and her.

Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 5 Pages 381-382