What is the waiting period (iddah) for a woman who initiated divorce (khulʿ) and has not been touched by her husband for over a year and a half? Is it permissible for a woman who initiated divorce to benefit from zakat and renew requests for assistance after the divorce? Is she obligated to help her ex-husband renew zakat documents that require a marriage contract and documents pertaining to the wife, knowing that the divorce has occurred and she is the custodian of the children?

The jurists differed regarding the 'iddah (definition) (waiting period) of a woman who seeks khul' (divorce at her own instance). The majority opinion, which we have favored, is that it is three menstrual cycles. The husband's not having intercourse with her before the divorce has no bearing on the 'iddah, for the 'iddah is a right of Allah Almighty and is obligatory upon a divorced woman with whom consummation has occurred. As for resorting to trickery to obtain assistance that is only due during the marriage, when separation has already occurred, this is not permissible, as it constitutes aiding in sin. One must adhere to the conditions of the granting entity, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Muslims are bound by their conditions."