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Fatwa CenterA Woman's Behavior after Husband's Death
Question
CAN A WOMAN WEAR A BEAUTIFUL DRESS & USE MAKE-UP AFTER HER HUSBAND DIES ESPECIALLY IN THE IDDAH PERIOD, AND WHAT ARE THE PROHIBITED ACTIONS DURING THAT TIME?Can a woman wear a beautiful dress and use make up after her husband dies especially in the Iddah period, and what are the prohibited
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is compulsory for a widow to mourn her husband during her ‘Iddah (waiting period). She has to do five things:
1. She should remain in the same house where she lived at the time of her husband's death. She should remain in that house till the end of her ‘Iddah, that is four months and ten days. Allah Says in this concern (what means): {And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days].} [Quran 2:234] If she is pregnant, then her ‘Iddah will end right after giving birth. Allah Says (what means): {And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth.} [Quran 65:4] She should not go out except for necessities, such as going to hospital for treatment, or to market to purchase her necessities like food, etc., provided that there is no one to provide them for her.
2. She should wear simple clothes and avoid elaborate garments.
3. She should avoid wearing Jewelry, such as gold, silver, diamond, and pearls whether they are bracelets, necklaces, etc., till the end of ‘Iddah.
4. She should avoid wearing perfume of any kind, be it incense, oil, etc. But at the end of monthly menstruation, she may put perfume at that place to remove the bad smell.
5. She should avoid putting any cosmetics on her eyes, cheeks, and lips.
Allah knows best.
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