'IDDAH, THE WAITING PERIOD FOR WOMEN TO REMARRY

[Dr. Shabbir]

'IDDAH, THE WAITING PERIOD FOR WOMEN TO REMARRY

1 - No waiting if untouched.
2 - Three menstrual periods in women with normal physiology.
3 - Three months for those who do not habitually menstruate (or have irregular cycles).
4 - Four months ten days for a widow (for resolution of grief).
2:228 After divorce, women shall wait three menstruations before remarriage. There is no waiting period for a woman who is divorced before intimate relations with her husband (33:49). And it is three months if they do not habitually menstruate (65:4). They shall not conceal pregnancy if they believe in Allah and in the Hereafter. In case of pregnancy, their waiting period shall be until delivery (65:4). And during this period their husbands would do better to take them back if both of them desire reconciliation. The husband and the wife have the right to reconcile during this waiting period of the wife. Women, by Ordinance, have rights similar to men. Men, however, do not have a waiting period for remarriage for obvious physiological reasons. That is where men are on a platform different from them. (2:228-234, 4:3, 4:19, 4:35, 4:128, 33:49, 58:1, 65:1-4). The Waiting Period is four months ten days for widows. (2:234) Those among you who die and leave wives behind, they shall wait four months and ten days before they remarry. ---.

2:228 After divorce, women shall wait three menstruations before remarriage. There is no waiting period for a woman who is divorced before intimate relations with her husband (33:49). And it is three months if they do not habitually menstruate (65:4). They shall not conceal pregnancy if they believe in Allah and in the Hereafter. In case of pregnancy, their waiting period shall be until delivery (65:4). And during this period their husbands would do better to take them back if both of them desire reconciliation. The husband and the wife have the right to reconcile during this waiting period of the wife. Women, by Ordinance, have rights similar to men. Men, however, do not have a waiting period for remarriage for obvious physiological reasons. That is where men are on a platform different from them. (2:228-234, 4:3, 4:19, 4:35, 4:128, 33:49, 58:1, 65:1-4). The Waiting Period is four months ten days for widows. (2:234) Those among you who die and leave wives behind, they shall wait four months and ten days before they remarry. ---.
WOMEN NOT TO BE HOME-BOUND DURING WAITING PERIOD: The Qur'an places only one restriction, remarriage. But under the "Imamist" influence a divorced Muslim woman or widow is expected to live a life of complete asceticism and deprivation during the Waiting Period. She is told not to leave her home, see any visitors, participate in any ceremnoies, socialize in any form, dress decently, wear new clothes, comb well, use perfumes or use even light make-up, etc etc.