Iddah
Posted by ABM Productions on Thursday, March 10, 2011
Under: Islam
Question: For how long is a husband supposed to wait before getting married after the death of his wife?
Answer: In Islam, the period a woman must observe after the death of her spouse or after a divorce, during which she may not marry another man is called iddah. The period is three months after a divorce and four months and ten days after the death of a spouse. The period of iddah is calculated on the number of menses (menstruations) that a woman has.
As regards your question, in Islam, there is no prescribed period (iddah) that a man is supposed to wait before he remarries after the death of his wife. You will see from the Qur'anic verses below that the main reason for iddah is "to determine whether a woman in pregnant or not." A man cannot become pregnant.
However, on humanitarian grounds, most men do spend a number of weeks or even months before they remarry. If you were to put yourself in her shoes, how would you feel, and what would you think about the character of your wife, if you died today and your wife remarries the following day?
Other Reasons for Iddah include:
Answer: In Islam, the period a woman must observe after the death of her spouse or after a divorce, during which she may not marry another man is called iddah. The period is three months after a divorce and four months and ten days after the death of a spouse. The period of iddah is calculated on the number of menses (menstruations) that a woman has.
As regards your question, in Islam, there is no prescribed period (iddah) that a man is supposed to wait before he remarries after the death of his wife. You will see from the Qur'anic verses below that the main reason for iddah is "to determine whether a woman in pregnant or not." A man cannot become pregnant.
However, on humanitarian grounds, most men do spend a number of weeks or even months before they remarry. If you were to put yourself in her shoes, how would you feel, and what would you think about the character of your wife, if you died today and your wife remarries the following day?
Other Reasons for Iddah include:
- It allows the man and the woman to think twice before breaking up the family tie, especially in cases where divorce is revocable.
- Shari`ah has ordained the period of `Iddah to avoid any confusion of lineage which may result from the woman's pressing need of marriage.
- The period a woman spends in `Iddah whether short or otherwise sheds light on the seriousness of marriage and how far it is a sacred bond.
Qur’anic Rulings Pertaining to `Iddah
Widowed woman: If a woman is widowed and is not pregnant, her waiting period ends after completing four months and ten days. Allah Almighty says:
“Whoever from amongst you dies and leaves behind wives, the wives will hold themselves [from marriage] for four months and ten days. Then, when they have expired this period, there is no blame upon you in whatever they do regarding themselves, according to the recognized traditions. And God is fully aware of whatever you are doing. And there is no blame upon you in proposing [marriage] to these women or in keeping such proposal to yourself - God is aware that you would mention it to them - but do not make with them any secret commitments, except that you say a noble word to them. However, do not commit the marriage-contract with them, until the law has reached its prescribed time...” (Al-Baqarah 2: 234 - 235)
Widowed woman who is Pregnant: As for the widowed woman whom her husband dies while leaving her pregnant, her waiting period ends with the delivery of her baby. Allah Almighty says,
"...And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden" (At-Talaq: 4). In this verse, the word "burden" refers to pregnancy.
Divorced Woman: As for a divorced woman, her waiting period ends when three intervals between menstruations have finished, if she is not pregnant. Allah Almighty says:
"Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (Al-Baqarah: 228)
Widowed woman: If a woman is widowed and is not pregnant, her waiting period ends after completing four months and ten days. Allah Almighty says:
“Whoever from amongst you dies and leaves behind wives, the wives will hold themselves [from marriage] for four months and ten days. Then, when they have expired this period, there is no blame upon you in whatever they do regarding themselves, according to the recognized traditions. And God is fully aware of whatever you are doing. And there is no blame upon you in proposing [marriage] to these women or in keeping such proposal to yourself - God is aware that you would mention it to them - but do not make with them any secret commitments, except that you say a noble word to them. However, do not commit the marriage-contract with them, until the law has reached its prescribed time...” (Al-Baqarah 2: 234 - 235)
Widowed woman who is Pregnant: As for the widowed woman whom her husband dies while leaving her pregnant, her waiting period ends with the delivery of her baby. Allah Almighty says,
"...And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden" (At-Talaq: 4). In this verse, the word "burden" refers to pregnancy.
Divorced Woman: As for a divorced woman, her waiting period ends when three intervals between menstruations have finished, if she is not pregnant. Allah Almighty says:
"Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (Al-Baqarah: 228)
In : Islam