What is the 'iddah (waiting period) for a woman whose husband has died and whose uterus has been removed? And is it permissible for her to spend the night outside her home during the 'iddah period for the purpose of securing her husband's inheritance?

The waiting period (iddah) for a widow is four months and ten days. There is no difference in this period between a young and an old woman. Verifying the absence of pregnancy is not the sole reason for the iddah; rather, it has many objectives. The woman observing iddah must spend this period in the house of her husband in which he passed away. It is not permissible for her to move, travel, or spend the night elsewhere, except out of necessity. The fact that her father has a share in the house, or that she would be safe with her family, does not permit her to travel or spend the night elsewhere, as long as she is not harmed by staying in the marital home and feels safe there.