What is the wisdom behind a woman whose husband died without having consummated the marriage observing an 'iddah of four months and ten days, in honor of the husband, while a pregnant woman whose husband died does not observe the 'iddah of the longer of the two periods (or until she gives birth), in honor of the husband who consummated the marriage with her and lived with her?

The waiting period (iddah) for a woman whose husband has died is four months and ten days, according to the text of the Quran. This applies to both women with whom the marriage was consummated and those with whom it was not, and to both pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, the waiting period for a pregnant woman is until she gives birth, based on the Almighty's saying: "And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens." The proof for this is the permission given by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to Subai'ah Al-Aslamiyah to marry a few days after she gave birth following her husband's death. It is obligatory to submit to the wisdom of Allah the Almighty in all His commands, even if we do not comprehend it. The apparent wisdom is devotion and compliance with His command, glory be to Him.