❖ Extracted from Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri ❖
✿ Is a Widow Entitled to Maintenance (Nafaqah) During Her ʿIddah? ✿
📌 The Ruling:
A woman observing ʿiddah after the death of her husband is only entitled to financial maintenance (nafaqah) if she is pregnant at the time of her husband’s death.
🔹 If she is pregnant, her expenses are paid from her deceased husband’s estate until she gives birth.
🔹 If she is not pregnant, no one is responsible for her expenses during the ʿiddah—not even the deceased husband’s family.
📖 Evidence from the Qur’ān:
❀ Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِن كُنَّ أُولَاتِ حَمْلٍ فَأَنفِقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ﴾
“And if they (the women) are pregnant, then spend on them until they deliver their burden (child).”
📚 Sūrah al-Ṭalāq (65:6)
📖 Supporting Hadith:
❀ Fāṭimah bint Qays رضي الله عنها was divorced with three final (irrevocable) divorces. The Prophet ﷺ told her:
«لا نَفَقَةَ لَكِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونِي حَامِلًا»
“There is no maintenance for you unless you are pregnant.”
📚 Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2290 – Authentic chain
◈ Summary of Key Points:
① A widow receives maintenance during ʿiddah only if she is pregnant.
② The maintenance is taken from her deceased husband’s wealth.
③ If she is not pregnant, she is not entitled to financial support during ʿiddah.
④ This is based on clear Qur’anic injunction and authentic Prophetic Sunnah.
