What are the rulings regarding the waiting period (iddah) for a woman whose husband dies while she is performing the Hajj pilgrimage? Does she complete her Hajj and then observe the iddah upon her return, or does she immediately go back to her home for the iddah?

A woman whose husband dies while she is on Hajj falls into one of two situations:

The first situation: If she receives news of her husband's death before her departure for Hajj, she is not permitted to leave for Hajj, and she must observe her 'iddah (waiting period) in her home.

The second situation: If she receives news of her husband's death after her departure for Hajj: - If she is close (has not yet covered the distance allowing for qasr prayer), she must return and observe her 'iddah in her husband's home. - If she has already covered the distance allowing for qasr prayer, she proceeds with her Hajj, and she is not required to return. She completes her 'iddah in her husband's home upon her return, if there is still some of the waiting period remaining.