The precise time when the Iddah period upon death commences

 

Nasihah (Advice): The period of mourning the deceased

 

Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) has narrated that Ummu ‘Atiyyah’s (radiyallahu ‘anha) son passed away. On the third day [after his demise], she requested [that] yellow dye [be brought for her to apply]. [After it was brought] She then applied it and said: ‘We have been prohibited (by Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) from Hidad (i.e. a type of mourning wherein one abstains from all types of beautification) for more than three days, unless it is regarding the (death of one’s) Husband [for in that case, a woman would be required to mourn her husband throughout the duration of her ‘iddah; a maximum of four months and ten days].’ [Sahih Bukhari]

______________________________

 

Question and Answer:

 

  1. My question is that if a women’s husband passes away and he is buried 2 days later; does the iddat of the women begin the day of the death or the day of the burial?

 

(Question published as received)

 

  1. Allah Ta’ala mentions the law of Iddah in the Quran: “For those men who pass away amongst you and leave behind wives, they (the wives) must confine themselves (observe Iddah) for four months and ten days.” (Surah Baqarah)

 

Thus, the Iddah period of a wife begins from the death of her husband and not from the time of his burial. (Shaami 3/506)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

 

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 

Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport

Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099

Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za

Check Also

The status of Ghusl & Wudhu with eyelash extensions

  Nasihah (Advice): Altering one’s appearance   Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Masud radiyallahu anhu reported: “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi …

Male & Female massages

  Nasihah (Advice): Islam is characterized by its modesty Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah radiyallahu anhu reported that …