What is the mandatory waiting period (iddah) for a wife, what is its duration, and is she considered a virgin or a non-virgin when remarrying if she was divorced after a marriage that lasted more than a year without consummation?
If one of the spouses is found to have a defect that prevents the realization of the purpose of marriage, and the healthy party was unaware of it at the time of the contract or did not consent to it afterward, then they have the option to annul the marriage. If the man is afflicted with an illness that prevents him from having intercourse with his wife, and this illness was confirmed before the marriage contract, then the woman may refer her case to the judge and obtain a divorce, and her full Mahr (dowry) will be established for her. If the Mahr is complete, the woman is obligated to observe the waiting period ('iddah), which is three menstrual cycles. It is proper to conceal the man's condition and not publicize it among people unless there is a benefit in doing so.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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