The ruling of widows’ waiting period:
Firstly, we ask Allah to accept the deceased and grant him a spacious place in His Paradise, and to treat him with grace rather than justice.
Secondly, the prominent Imams agree that a woman who loses her husband is subject to the waiting period (ʽIddah), as stated in the Quran and Sunnah. Allah says: “And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind – they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]” (Al-Baqarah 2:234). The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said to a woman whose husband died: “Remain in your house in which you have lost your husband, and do not go out, until the prescribed period (ʽIddah) is over” (reported by Abū Dawūd, At-Tirmidhiy, An-Nasāʼiy, and others).
Thirdly, the waiting period (ʽIddah) of a woman whose husband has passed away varies depending on her situation. If she is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days. However, if she is pregnant, her waiting period is until she gives birth, even if she gives birth after several days. This is the consensus of the four Imams, and it is supported by the Ḥadīth narrated by Imam Bukhāriy and others from ʼUmm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him. She said: “A woman from the tribe of ʼAslam, who is called Subayʽah, was marred to Saʽd ibn Khawlah who belongs to the tribe of Banī ʽAāmir. He was one of the companions who witnessed the Battle of Badr, but he passed away during the Farewell Pilgrimage while she was pregnant. She quickly gave birth after her husband’s death. When she finished her post-natal bleeding, she dressed up for suitors. Abū as-Sanābil ibn Baʽk, a man from the tribe of ʽAbd ad-Dār, entered her room and said to her, “How come you are getting dressed up for suitors, waiting for a proposal of marriage! You cannot get married until four months and ten days have passed.” Subayʽah said, “When he said that to me, I put on my clothes and went to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in the evening and asked him about it. He told me that I was free to remarry after the delivery of my child, and he advised me to do so if I wished.”
Fourthly, the woman who is subject to the waiting period (ʽIddah) due to the death of her husband must stay in her home except for necessities, and she should avoid all types of adornment such as perfume, kohl, and the like. Additionally, she should not wear colorful clothing or show happiness as a sign of loyalty to her deceased husband.
Fifthly, the woman who is subject to the waiting period (ʽIddah) can leave her house to go to work or for her personal needs, such as buying food and drink or seeking medical treatment. This is supported by the ḤADīTH narrated by Imam Muslim from Jābir, who said: “My maternal aunt was divorced, and she wanted to collect the harvest from her date-palm trees. A man rebuked her for going out to the trees. She went to the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: ‘No, go and collect the harvest from your trees, for perhaps you will give some in charity or do a good deed with it.’”
Sixthly, the default principle for a widow is to observe the waiting period (ʽIddah) in the house of her deceased husband. However, she may observe it in another house if there is an excuse, such as concerns for safety or feeling uncomfortable in her husband’s house, or if she wants to stay with her family or move out due to the expiration of the rental agreement after her husband’s death. The Prophet, peace be upon him, allowed Fāṭimah bint Abi Ḥubaysh to observe her waiting period in the house of Ibn ʼUmm Maktūm, who was one of her relatives, when she had a disagreement with her husband’s family.
After all, Allah knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr