Which is better for a widow: raising her son alone, out of a desire to reunite with her husband in Paradise, or marrying another man to protect her and to care for her son?

It is best for a widow, once her iddah (definition) (waiting period) has ended, to marry if there is no impediment for her, emulating the women of the righteous predecessors, and due to the Almighty's saying: "And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (the wives) shall wait (as regards their marriage) for four months and ten days. Then when they have fulfilled their term, there is no sin on you for what they do with themselves, in a just and honourable manner." This becomes more emphasized if there is a need or if she fears temptation (fitnah). As for the hadith (definition): "I and a woman with dark cheeks [meaning a widow who remained unmarried for her orphans' sake] will be like these two [fingers] on the Day of Resurrection...", scholars have discussed it, and the actions of the righteous predecessors indicate what is preferable.