ʿIddah and Its Ruling in Islam
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
❖ Question
What is the ruling of ʿiddah (the waiting period after divorce or a husband’s death)?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿAmma Baʿd!
- Observing ʿiddah after divorce or after the husband’s death is wājib (obligatory).
- Abandoning it without a valid excuse is a sin.
❖ Scholarly Consensus
✔ Ibn Qudāmah (620 AH):
“The Ummah has agreed upon the obligation of ʿiddah in general.”
(Al-Mughnī 8/96)
❖ Conclusion
- ʿIddah is obligatory upon a woman after divorce or widowhood.
- It is a matter of consensus (ijmāʿ) among scholars.
- Neglecting it without excuse is sinful.
هذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
