Is a waiting period (iddah) required for a wife whose virginity has not been taken and with whom her husband has not consummated the marriage, and who has sought a Khul divorce from him?

If a husband has consummated the marriage with his wife, she is bound to observe the iddah (waiting period) after divorce or khul’ (divorce at the wife’s instance), even if she was a virgin, for the iddah becomes obligatory immediately upon consummation. It is not permissible for a woman to refuse to allow her husband to consummate the marriage with her if she is able to do so; otherwise, she would be considered defiant (nashiz). There should be no hastiness in seeking divorce or khul’ except after exhausting all other means, and it is not permissible for a woman to request a divorce without genuine harm.