A waiting period is the time a woman waits after her husband's death to remarry. If she is not pregnant her waiting period is 4 months and 10 days, if she is pregnant her waiting period lasts until she gives birth.

The waiting period and its purpose

Definition: The [iddah is an Arabic word which refers to a specific period, caused by divorce or her husband’s death, during which a woman should wait by herself as an act of worship, or to ensure that she is not pregnant, or in mourning for her husband.[1] It is valid according to the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the unanimity of scholars.

In the Qur’an, Allah says:

Al-Miswar ibn Makhramah, a Companion of the Prophet, (peace be upon him), says that:

Other hadiths confirm this.

The waiting period is required to ensure that the woman is not pregnant, so that parenthood of the child cannot be confused. On the other hand, in cases of divorce it allows the husband to reconsider his action if the divorce is revocable. When he has thought carefully about the matter he may consider the reinstatement of his marriage. Thus, it serves as a cooling off period and safeguards the rights of the child in case the woman is pregnant.

The waiting period is of two types:

1-After her husband’s death: A woman whose husband has died must observe a waiting period. If she is pregnant, her waiting period lasts until she has given birth, even if the birth takes place within an hour of the husband’s death.

This is confirmed by the above-quoted hadith concerning Sabi'ah al-Aslamiyyah.

If the widow is not pregnant her waiting period is four months and 10 days, whether the marriage has been consummated or not. The following verse applies to all women who lose their husbands and are not pregnant:

2-After divorce: When a marriage is terminated by divorce or a judge’s order, the woman must observe a waiting period. If she is pregnant, her waiting period lasts until she has given birth. Allah says:

If she is not pregnant, her waiting period lasts until she has completed three periods of cleanliness from menstruation after the termination of the marriage. Allah says:

. If the woman does not go through the menstrual cycle, either because of some condition or because she is  past-menopause, her waiting period is three months.

If a man divorces his wife before their marriage has been consummated, i.e. without having sexual intercourse, she does not have to observe any waiting period.