Assalam alaikum, The word Iddah is derived from the Arabic word al-Adad meaning the number, in the terminology of the shariah it means a period of waiting from re-marriage after the death of her husband or her separation or divorce from him. The Muslim jurists have agreed on it essentially since the injunction in the Quran reads, âThe divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periodsâ (2:228)
Generally jurists identify two functions for the iddah period. The first allows for a period of reconciliation between a husband and wife such that whatever issue is dividing them may somehow be addressed and overcome thus avoiding a divorce. The second is more functional, to ensure that the woman is not pregnant, this is why verse 228 of Surah al Baqara (2) cited above continues ââ¦And it is not lawful for them to hide what Allah has created in their wombsâ¦â meaning that if a woman is pregnant she is not allowed to hide the pregnancy from the father. The Quran further goes to say in 65:4 ââ¦For those who carry life in their wombs, their iddah period is until they deiver heir burdensâ¦â meaning that if a woman intends to separate from her husband when pregnant her iddah is until she has given birth, which also implies a financial duty and responsibility on the husband to ensure she is taken care of in the same way he would take care of her whilst they were happily married, until and till just after she has given birth. When the husband of Subayah the daughter of Al-Harith died just after she gave birth, the Prophet said she could remarry immediately as her iddat period was finished, and Allah knows best. In the case of divorce before the marriage is consummated, Allah Almighty says in 33:49, âO you who believe, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, there is no period of iddah..â Whats interesting is the verse continues to say â..so give them a present, and set them free (from the contract of marriage) in a honest and just wayâ. This verse addressed a specific situation where some people would marry and then divorce on a whim. It was a reflection of how poorly and unjustly the pre-Islamic Arabs lived their lived and a reflection on how some of their bad characteristics followed them into the teachings of Islam. This verse stood out to correct their poor understanding of faith, and Allah knows best. When a husband dies, Allah Almighty says in 2:234, âIf any of you dies and leaves a widow, she will wait for four months and ten daysâ¦â then allowing the woman to continue in her affairs. If a woman has married a man but has not consummated the marriage, the general consensus of opinion is that the woman must still fulfill the iddah period. However, in my understanding if a woman is married, they have consummated the marriage then the husband dies this period of waiting applies. But if they marry, they do not consummate the marriage and the husband dies, I do not see the wisdom behind the stated iddah period, and Allah knows best. An incident was reported when Jabirâs aunt divorced. She used to go out to cut the fruits of her date palm trees. On one occasions someone told her that she should not go out of her home. Surprised, she went straight to the Prophet and asked his opinion on the matter. The Prophet told her that of course she can go out of her home and cut the fruits of her date palm. (Abu Dawood, Nasai) The wisdom behind the ânot going outâ perception comments stem not from forbidding a woman from going out, but to stress that whilst a woman is in her iddah period she has a right to be maintained by her soon to be ex-husband. The prerogative belongs to the woman who can decide to stay or leave at her discretion. [Shariah the Islamic Law, Doi, ch 13, abridged] May Allah Almighty have mercy and guide us all, ameen. fi amanillah, assalam alikum, f ------------------------ Yahoo! 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