What are the rulings concerning a woman whose husband has passed away, in terms of dress, the waiting period (iddah), going out of and entering the house, what is obligatory upon her and what is permissible for her, and what is forbidden for her? And can she assign someone to recite the Qur'an for her husband?

The 'iddah (waiting period) for a woman whose husband has died is four months and ten days, whether the husband consummated the marriage or not, and whether she menstruates or not, based on the Almighty's saying: (And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (their wives) shall wait (as regards their marriage) for four months and ten days). An exception to this is the pregnant woman, whose 'iddah ends upon delivery, based on the Almighty's saying: (And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens). As for reciting the Qur'an and dedicating its reward to the deceased, there is no harm in it, with the caveat that it is forbidden to hire a reciter to recite the Qur'an over the grave.