Is a waiting period (iddah) required for a wife whose virginity has not been taken and with whom her husband has not consummated the marriage, and who has sought a Khul divorce from him?

If a husband has consummated the marriage with his wife, she is bound to observe the iddah (definition) (waiting period) after divorce or khul’ (divorce at the wife’s instance), even if she was a virgin, for the iddah becomes obligatory immediately upon consummation. It is not permissible for a woman to refuse to allow her husband to consummate the marriage with her if she is able to do so; otherwise, she would be considered defiant (nashiz). There should be no hastiness in seeking divorce or khul’ except after exhausting all other means, and it is not permissible for a woman to request a divorce without genuine harm.