Calculating the Iddat of a Widow

The injunction of serving Iddah after the demise of one’s husband has been categorically mentioned in the Quraan Sharif.

Allah Ta’ala states:

Those of you who die, leaving their wives behind, then they (the wives) shall remain by themselves (in Iddah) for four months and ten days (if they are not pregnant).

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 234)

Hence, a woman should observe Iddah for a period of four months and ten days on the demise of her husband[1].

The Iddah will be calculated in the following manner:

1. If the husband passes away on the first of the lunar month (that is, the 1st day of the Islamic month), then her Iddat will be counted as 4 months and 10 days in full, even though some of the Islamic months are 29 days in number and not 30 days[2]. The Iddat will commence from the time of demise, and will terminate at the same time on completion of the Iddat.

2. If his demise was not on the first day of the Islamic month, but he passed away during the course of the Islamic month, then one should count 130 days from the day of demise.[3]

Some Masaa’il regarding Iddah:

A widow in Iddah should refrain from donning attractive clothing, wearing jewellery, applying perfume, applying oil to the hair or Surmah to the eyes with the intention of beautification, or using henna. She is however permitted to utilize oil and Surmah due to medical reasons. She should strictly remain within the confines of the home until her Iddat has terminated. If you require clarity on any aspect of Iddat, then you may refer to us and we will try to clarify the matter Insha’Allah.

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