❖ ʿIddah for Elderly Women and Minor Married Girls ❖
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.
Is a very old woman (who no longer has desire for men) or a minor married girl required to observe ʿiddah upon the death of her husband?
Yes, both the elderly woman—who is not in need of men—and the minor girl—who has been married but has not yet reached puberty—must observe the ʿiddah (waiting period) upon the death of their husband.
The type and duration of the ʿiddah depends on the condition of the widow:
✔ Her ʿiddah is until she gives birth, regardless of whether she is young or old.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿ وَأُولَاتُ الْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَنْ يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ﴾
“And those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens.”
[Surah at-Ṭalāq 65:4]
✔ Her ʿiddah is four months and ten days from the date of her husband’s death, regardless of her age or physical condition.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿ وَالَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَاجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنْفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ﴾
“And those among you who die and leave behind wives—they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:234]
Thus, regardless of whether the widow is extremely old and beyond the age of marriage, or a young girl not yet mature, the command of Allah ﷻ applies equally to all wives, due to the general wording in the Qur’an.
(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:
Is a very old woman (who no longer has desire for men) or a minor married girl required to observe ʿiddah upon the death of her husband?
❖ Answer:
Yes, both the elderly woman—who is not in need of men—and the minor girl—who has been married but has not yet reached puberty—must observe the ʿiddah (waiting period) upon the death of their husband.
The type and duration of the ʿiddah depends on the condition of the widow:
❖ For a Pregnant Woman:
✔ Her ʿiddah is until she gives birth, regardless of whether she is young or old.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿ وَأُولَاتُ الْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَنْ يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ﴾
“And those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens.”
[Surah at-Ṭalāq 65:4]
❖ For a Non-Pregnant Woman:
✔ Her ʿiddah is four months and ten days from the date of her husband’s death, regardless of her age or physical condition.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿ وَالَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَاجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنْفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ﴾
“And those among you who die and leave behind wives—they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:234]
Thus, regardless of whether the widow is extremely old and beyond the age of marriage, or a young girl not yet mature, the command of Allah ﷻ applies equally to all wives, due to the general wording in the Qur’an.
(Dār al-Iftāʾ Committee)
