Must a woman who has had an illicit marital relationship for two years with a man observe an 'iddah period to ascertain the emptiness of her womb before marrying him? And is the child considered legitimate if she does not observe the 'iddah and they are blessed with a child?

It is not permissible for a fornicator to marry the woman with whom he fornicated until she repents and observes her waiting period (iddah). Her iddah is the delivery of her child if she is pregnant, or one menstrual cycle if she is not, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying: "A pregnant woman should not be had intercourse with until she delivers, nor a non-pregnant woman until she menstruates once." If he marries her before the istibra (ensuring the womb is clear), and she gives birth to a child less than six months after the marriage, the child is not attributed to him. However, if she gives birth after six months or more, the child is attributed to him, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying: "The child belongs to the marriage bed, and for the adulterer is the stone."