The length of the waiting period of a divorced woman (‘Iddah)

14-6-2000 | IslamWeb

Question:

Alsalaamu Alaikum: I read that the period of ‘Iddah’ is a period of three mensturation periods. Is that correct? And if so, does a woman start counting from the day of divorce or the day of her last sexual encounter with her husband? Please clarify. Thank you!
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 sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Yes, the waiting period of a woman who is still in the age of menstruation is three menstrual periods according to the preponderant view of the scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them.

Allah Says in this regard (what means): {And divorced women shall wait for three menstrual periods (before getting married again.} [Quran 2:228]

The waiting period “Iddah” of a divorced woman [or a woman whose husband has just died] starts from the first day the woman gets divorced [or the day of the death of her husband].

Allah knows best.

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