Iddah: The Waiting Period After Divorce or Death

The iddah is a prescribed waiting period that a woman must observe after the dissolution of her marriage, whether through divorce or the death of her husband. The Quran establishes this obligation clearly: "Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods" (Quran 2:228). The iddah serves multiple purposes: determining whether the woman is pregnant (to establish paternity), providing a cooling-off period during which reconciliation may occur in revocable divorce, honoring the marital bond, and protecting the woman's rights during the transition.

Iddah After Divorce

For a divorced woman who menstruates, the iddah is three complete menstrual cycles (quru). The Hanafi and Hanbali schools interpret quru as menstrual periods, while the Maliki and Shafi'i schools interpret it as the clean periods between menstruations. A woman who does not menstruate (due to age or medical reasons) observes an iddah of three lunar months. A pregnant woman's iddah lasts until she gives birth, regardless of how long that takes: "And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth" (Quran 65:4). If the marriage was not consummated, there is no iddah: "There is no iddah for you to count" (Quran 33:49).

Iddah After Death of Husband

A widow observes an iddah of four months and ten days: "And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind, they shall wait four months and ten days" (Quran 2:234). This applies whether or not the marriage was consummated. If the widow is pregnant, her iddah ends when she gives birth, even if that is before four months and ten days. During the iddah of death, the widow should remain in the marital home if possible, avoid adornment and perfume, and not accept marriage proposals, though indirect hints are permissible.

Rulings During Iddah

During the iddah of a revocable divorce (raj'i), the husband has the right to take his wife back without a new contract or mahr. The woman should remain in the marital home, and the husband is obligated to provide for her maintenance. During an irrevocable divorce (ba'in), the woman is still entitled to housing according to the Hanafi school, though the other schools have different positions. In all cases, the iddah is a period of protection for the woman, not punishment. The Quran commands: "Do not turn them out of their houses, nor should they leave" (Quran 65:1).

Wisdom of the Iddah

Beyond the practical purpose of establishing pregnancy, scholars note that the iddah provides emotional healing time, prevents hasty remarriage that one might later regret, protects children's lineage, and demonstrates respect for the bond of marriage. The specific period of four months and ten days for a widow has been connected by some scholars to the development of the fetus (approximately when fetal movement begins), ensuring that any pregnancy from the deceased husband is known before the widow considers remarriage. The iddah reflects Islam's comprehensive approach to family law, balancing individual rights with communal welfare.