Is it obligatory to observe the iddah now after a divorce whose iddah was not observed at the time?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The waiting period () for divorce or death begins from the moment the cause occurs, even if the woman is unaware of it. If the woman becomes aware before the iddah ends, she completes the remainder of it. However, if she becomes aware after its expiry, she is not required to make it up, as the iddah was legislated for the purification of the womb and the husband's right to reconciliation, and it has ended with the completion of its term. This is the view of the majority of scholars.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/191679
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 191679
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy