Why does the waiting period (iddah) for a widow differ in duration from that of a divorced woman?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The waiting period () for a woman whose husband has died is four months and ten days, unless she is pregnant; if she is pregnant, her 'iddah ends upon delivery. As for the divorced woman, her 'iddah is three menstrual cycles (quru'), unless she is pregnant, in which case her 'iddah ends upon delivery. If she is one who does not menstruate, then her 'iddah is three months. The wisdom behind the difference in the 'iddah periods is a submission to the command of Allah.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 45293
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy