Is it permissible for the mother to return to her homeland, Pakistan, to observe her iddah, or must she remain in America where the father passed away?

Scholars differed regarding the obligation for an 'iddah-observing woman to remain in the marital home. The strongest opinion is that it is obligatory, and this is the madhhab of the four Imams. They based their argument on the hadith of Furay'ah bint Malik, in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered her to stay in her house until the end of her prescribed period.

However, if something occurs to the 'iddah-observing woman or her residence that necessitates relocation, such as fear or harm, then it is permissible for her to move to another dwelling. This is the view of the majority of scholars, on condition that the rulings applicable to her in her original home are upheld for her in her new residence. As for one who can manage her affairs while remaining in the marital home, she has no excuse to move.