Iddah (Waiting Period)

Assalaamu Alaikum Dear Brothers & Sisters

It is commonly misunderstood that the Iddah Period is to be used to seclude the wife into private quarters, where she has to sit for either 3 menstrual cycles or 1 menstrual cycle and all her daily activities are almost abrogated.

The period of Iddah for a wido would be 4 months and 10 days in accordance to Surah Al Baqarah Verse 234

This is a huge misconception, the wife does not need to observe eteqaaf (seclusion)

In fact Islamically speaking, she can undertake any task during this time which is required to maintain herself and or her family.

There are only 2 exceptions and that during this period she cannot look for proposals or have a nikah with anyone, this is purely and simply because she is still in her nikah until the iddah is exhausted.

It is highlighted Islamically that Iddah is to be observed for 3 Menstrual Cycles, however if the separation has been for over 12 months and you are about to observe the Iddah after a khulla (Islamic Divorce initiated by the Wife) then you can observe only 1 month of iddah.

People also often ask us regarding, maintaining the wife’s expenses too and below we have tried to cover this area too in sh Allah

Iddah is supposed to be observed in the husbands home and that’s where the expense is supposed to be.

This is accommodation known as sukna.
The nafaqa is basic needs like food, drink clothing and essentials.

A lifestyle of wants and extras are not part of essential nafaqah as stipulated by shariah, if the iddah is not at the sukna (husbands house) then if he agrees to gift her something towards expenses on a personal arrangement then he can do that but it is not compulsory unless certain circumstances make it compulsory, these can be stipulated for clarification if you drop you send us an email, these normally include pregnancy etc.

Any further clarification required please do contact us on our email address

enquiries@theshariacouncil.org.uk

Jazakh Allah Khairun

A Video explaining this is below: