Rules of ‘Iddah
The ‘Iddah period encompasses various rules that are outlined in religious texts. Among these rules are:
- A woman who is undergoing ‘Iddah following an irrevocable divorce is treated similarly to a non-mahram (an unrelated male). Therefore, it is impermissible for a man to engage with her physically, to look at her, or to be alone with her, as the marital relationship has been severed. She may only remarry after a new contract and dowry, particularly in the case of minor irrevocable divorce. In instances of major irrevocable divorce, she is only permitted to remarry after she has wed another man, had intimate relations with him, and subsequently been divorced by him.
- A woman undergoing ‘Iddah due to a revocable divorce retains the status of a wife. The husband has the right to reinstate her to his marital status without her consent.
- If the woman’s ‘Iddah from a revocable divorce concludes, and her husband has not reclaimed her during that period, she is considered irrevocably divorced. Should he wish to remarry her, a new contract and dowry are required.
- It is prohibited for a woman in ‘Iddah to undertake pilgrimage (Hajj) or perform ‘Umrah, as Hajj is not time-sensitive while ‘Iddah is.
- A woman in ‘Iddah is not allowed to marry another man until her waiting period is complete.
- Under necessary circumstances, a woman in ‘Iddah is permitted to relocate from her prescribed place of ‘Iddah to another location.
‘Iddah for Widows
Scholarly consensus holds that the ‘Iddah period for a widow begins from the moment the husband’s death is confirmed; that is, the day of his death is counted within the ‘Iddah, particularly if the death occurs during the day. The ‘Iddah lasts for four lunar months and ten days. If the widow is pregnant, her ‘Iddah concludes upon the delivery of her child. Furthermore, she must avoid adornment and remain in the residence where her husband passed away throughout her ‘Iddah period, except in cases of necessity, such as seeking medical treatment, purchasing essentials, or attending to work obligations.
The Wisdom Behind the Legitimacy of ‘Iddah
Allah, the Exalted, has mandated the ‘Iddah for numerous significant reasons. Among these reasons are: ensuring the integrity of lineage by preventing the potential confusion of parentage, showing respect for the deceased, maintaining the sanctity of the marriage bond within the wife’s heart, and protecting her from the attention of other men, as well as safeguarding men from fixation on her. The ‘Iddah also provides an opportunity for a divorcing husband to reconcile with his wife and demonstrates respect for the marital bond while emphasizing the importance of marriage, whereby the dissolution of the contract occurs with careful consideration.