❖ Relocation of a Woman Observing ʿIddah to Her Parental Home ❖
This ruling is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women”, based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
A woman got married, but her husband passed away shortly after. She has no children and no relatives in her late husband’s town. In such a situation, is it permissible for her to relocate from her deceased husband's city to her guardian’s city in order to observe ʿiddah?
In this scenario, it is permissible for the woman to relocate to her guardian's city or any safe and secure place where she can properly observe the waiting period (ʿiddah) after her husband's death.
However, this allowance is conditional:
✔ If the woman fears for her life, dignity, or security in the house of her deceased husband and there is no one available to offer her protection, then she is allowed to move elsewhere to observe her ʿiddah.
✖ If her sole motive is to be closer to her family or to relocate for comfort or preference, then such a move is not allowed.
In this case, she must remain in the house of her late husband where she was residing at the time of his death until the ʿiddah of four months and ten days is completed.
After that, she is free to move wherever she desires.
Evidence Basis:
The Islamic ruling is grounded in the principle that a widow should remain in her marital home during the period of ʿiddah unless there is a compelling reason or threat to her safety.
(Dār al-Iftāʾ Committee)
This ruling is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women”, based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
A woman got married, but her husband passed away shortly after. She has no children and no relatives in her late husband’s town. In such a situation, is it permissible for her to relocate from her deceased husband's city to her guardian’s city in order to observe ʿiddah?
❖ Answer:
In this scenario, it is permissible for the woman to relocate to her guardian's city or any safe and secure place where she can properly observe the waiting period (ʿiddah) after her husband's death.
However, this allowance is conditional:
Permissible Relocation:
✔ If the woman fears for her life, dignity, or security in the house of her deceased husband and there is no one available to offer her protection, then she is allowed to move elsewhere to observe her ʿiddah.
Impermissible Relocation:
✖ If her sole motive is to be closer to her family or to relocate for comfort or preference, then such a move is not allowed.
In this case, she must remain in the house of her late husband where she was residing at the time of his death until the ʿiddah of four months and ten days is completed.
After that, she is free to move wherever she desires.
Evidence Basis:
The Islamic ruling is grounded in the principle that a widow should remain in her marital home during the period of ʿiddah unless there is a compelling reason or threat to her safety.
(Dār al-Iftāʾ Committee)
