Understanding the Rules of Iddah in Islam: A Guide for Women
Question: If a woman’s husband earns through unlawful means and she wants to seek a divorce because of this, is she required to complete her waiting period (iddah) at her husband’s home, or can she spend it at her parent’s home?
Answer: If the husband’s income is unlawful, the wife should try her best to convince him to earn through permissible means and adopt any wise strategy to encourage reform. If, after all efforts, the husband refuses to change and continues earning unlawfully, the wife may seek a separation. Once the husband grants a divorce, she is required to observe her iddah in her husband’s home, as it is a revocable divorce, meaning the husband has the right to reconcile. The wisdom behind staying in the husband’s house during this period is that the husband may reform and take his wife back in the correct manner.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail