بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
What is Iddat and what is the duration of Iddat for a widow?
Iddat refers to the period of mourning and waiting a female observes after the demise of her spouse or divorce. This period of waiting is necessary before she enters into a new Nikaah.
The Iddat of a widow who experiences Haiz or not, is 4 months and 10 days.
The Iddat of a widow who is pregnant is until the child is born.
The Holy Quraan states,
‘And those among you who die leaving wives behind them, then such widows shall restrain themselves for four months and ten days’
(Surah Baqarah, Verse 234)
‘And the appointed period for the pregnant women is up to the time they deliver’
(Surah Talaaq, Verse 4)
Allamah Allauddeen Haskafi (Allah be pleased with him) states,
‘The Iddat for a widow is 4 months and 10 days absolutely, irrespective if the marriage was consummated or not…only a widow who is pregnant is excluded from this command.’
(Durre Mukhtaar, Part 1, pg.256, Published by H.M. Saeed Company, Karachi)
Shamsul Aimmah Imaam Sarakhsi (Allah be pleased with him) states,
‘The Iddat of a widow who is pregnant is until she gives birth to the child.’
(Al-Mabsoot, Vol, 6, pg. 35, Published by Maktabah Rasheedia, Lahore)
Allah and His Rasool know best.
Darul Iftaa
Islamic Lifestyle Solutions
0312077276
