Iddah

Not to be confused with Idda.

In Islam, iddah or iddat (Template:Lang-ar; period of waiting) is the period a woman must observe after the death of her husband or after a divorce, during which she may not marry another man. Its purpose is to ensure that the male parent of any offspring produced after the cessation of a nikah (marriage) would be known. The length of iddah varies according to a number of circumstances.

The iddah of a woman divorced by her husband is three monthly periods, The 'Iddah rules for divorced and widowed women unless she is pregnant in which case the ‘iddah lasts until she gives birth, The ‘iddah of a woman divorced by talaaq or unless the marriage was not consummated in which case there is no ‘iddah, Divorce before consummation is final and irrevocable or unless she does not menstruate, in which case "the scholars say that she should observe an ‘iddah of a full year, nine months for pregnancy and three months for ‘iddah.

For a woman whose husband has died, the `iddah is four lunar months and ten days after the death of their husbands, And those of you who die and leave widows behind, they should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten days. Then when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you about what they do with themselves in accordance with the norms [of society]. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do. And there is also no blame on you if you tacitly send a marriage proposal to these women or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that you would definitely talk to them. [Do so] but do not make a secret contract. Of course you can say something in accordance with the norms [of the society]. And do not decide to marry until the law reaches its term. And know that Allah has knowledge of what is in your hearts; so be fearful of Him and know that Allah is Most forgiving and Most Forbearing." ^{[Quran 2:234]}</ref> whether or not the marriage was consummated.

Islamic scholars consider this directive to be a balance between mourning of husband's death and protecting the widow from criticism that she might be subjected to from remarrying too quickly after her husband’s death. This is also to ascertain whether a woman is pregnant or not, since four and a half months is half the length of a normal pregnancy.

Husbands should make a will in favor of their wives for the provision of one year’s residence and maintenance, unless the wives themselves leave the house or take any other similar step.

Iddah for widows

Scriptural basis

The directive within the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:234-235), regarding the waiting period for a widow, is:

If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: When they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner. And God is well acquainted with what ye do. There is no blame on you if ye make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. God knows that ye cherish them in your hearts: But do not make a secret contract with them except in terms Honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that God Knoweth what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him; and know that God is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing. Al-Baqarah 2:234-235 Translation Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)

Main directives

The following is a summary of the main directives (for widows) contained in these verses:

1. The waiting period (Iddah) of a widow is four months and ten days;
2. During this period, the woman is not to marry another man;
3. During this period, a person may declare his intentions of marrying the widow — in a socially acceptable manner — or he may keep such intentions to himself, yet he should not make a secret commitment of marriage with the widow; and
4. The time and place of the marriage-contract should be finalized and committed to only after the period of four months and ten days has expired.

These are the basic Sharia directives regarding the waiting period for a widow. It is also clear from another directive of the Quran that during this waiting period, the woman should not be turned out of her house.

Iddah for divorced females

Scriptural basis

The directive within the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:228), regarding the waiting period for a divorcee, is:

Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what God Hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in God and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take the m back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And God is Exalted in Power, Wise. Al-Baqarah 2:228 Translation Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)

In surah Al-Ahzab it is stated:

O ye who believe! When ye marry believing women then divorce them before touching them then there is no iddah, you have reckon with. (Al-Quran 33:49)

In the Quran surah At-Talaq Verse 65:4, it is stated:

Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the Iddah, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy. At-Talaq 65:4 Translation Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)

Main directives

The following is a summary of the main directives (for divorces) contained in these verses:

1. The waiting period for a menstruating wife is, three monthly periods
2. The waiting period for a non-menstruating wife is, three lunar months
3. The waiting period for a pregnant wife is, until after she delivers the child
4. The husband can take his wife back, but no reunion can take place until a period of waiting removes all doubt about any existing pregnancy.

Commentaries

Allah the Exalted clarifies the waiting period of the woman in menopause. And that is the one whose menstruation has stopped due to her older age. Her `Iddah is three months instead of the three monthly cycles for those who menstruate, which is based upon the Ayah in (Surat) Al-Baqarah. (see 2:228) The same for the young, who have not reached the years of menstruation. Their `Iddah is three months like those in menopause. (Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Imam Suyuti's commentary, Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And as for those of your women who read allā’ī or allā’i in both instances no longer expect to menstruate if you have any doubts about their waiting period their prescribed waiting period shall be three months and also for those who have not yet menstruated because of their young age their period shall also be three months — both cases apply to other than those whose spouses have died; for these latter their period is prescribed in the verse they shall wait by themselves for four months and ten days.

Interpretation

Muslim jurists and thinkers have generally construed this additional purpose entailed in the prescription of the waiting period for widows to be that of the widow's 'mourning' her deceased husband. The prescription of a specified 'waiting' or 'mourning' period is for the purpose of safeguarding the woman against defamation, slander and ill-repute in society. In Pakistan, the waiting period for a divorcee is 90 days, and for a widow it is 130 days. However, pregnant divorcees or widows have to wait until pregnancy or miscarriage occurs.

It is specifically for this purpose that others are directed against making a 'secret' commitment of marriage with the widow or deciding about the time and place of the marriage-contract, during the prescribed period. It is reported that Muhammad advised widows to be extra modest in their appearance and to even refrain from wearing any fragrance during this period. All these directives and advice seem to point to the fact that a woman should not only be, but also appear to be in a state of mourning, so that her social circles do not get a chance to say a negative word about her.

No other restrictions apply to a widow during her waiting period.

See also

• Naskh (tafsir) Length of the period (Iddah) widows must wait before remarrying
• Jewish Niddah