When is a man required to observe an 'iddah (waiting period)? And what is the wisdom behind that?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The waiting period () is specific to women and is not obligatory for men. However, a man is prohibited from marrying a fifth wife until the iddah of his fourth divorced wife ends. Similarly, he is prohibited from marrying his wife's sister, paternal aunt, or maternal aunt until her iddah ends. This prohibition is not called "iddah" in a legal or linguistic sense; rather, it is a figurative use of the term.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/8167
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 8167
- 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