How is the waiting period (iddah) calculated for a divorced woman whose menstruation has stopped and only occurs with medical treatment? Is it permissible for her to take medication to induce menstruation during the waiting period or not?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The divorced woman who menstruates (i.e., is not menopausal) must observe an ' (waiting period) of three menstrual cycles. If her menstruation is delayed for no reason, she observes an 'iddah of nine months for pregnancy, followed by three months for a menopausal woman (totaling one year). If she menstruates during this year, her 'iddah is then counted by menstruation. Otherwise, she waits another year until she has menstruated three times. She is not obliged to take medication to induce menstruation, but it is permissible if she does not fear harm.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/113827
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 113827
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy