When does the 'iddah (waiting period) end for a wife whose husband died on the night of Ramadan 23, 1436 A.H.?
The waiting period (iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away is until she gives birth if she is pregnant, based on the Almighty's saying: "And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burden." If she is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days from the day of death, based on the Almighty's saying: "And those of you who die and leave wives behind, they [their wives] shall wait on themselves for four months and ten [days]."
The waiting period begins at the time of death, and the day of death is counted by the majority of scholars. The waiting period is calculated by lunar months, with the month of death being completed to thirty days. So, if the death occurred on the 23rd of Ramadan, the waiting period ends on the 3rd of the following Safar (or the 4th of Safar if Ramadan was 29 days) at the same time of death.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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