Understanding Iddah for Pregnant Widows: What You Need to Know

What is the Waiting Period (Iddah) for a Pregnant Woman After Her Husband’s Death?

Question: What is the waiting period (iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away and who is pregnant in her final days? Please provide guidance with evidence.

Answer: For a woman whose husband has died and who is pregnant, her waiting period (iddah) is until she gives birth. This means she will remain in her waiting period until the child is born, and once the child is born, her waiting period will end. The evidence for this is the command of Allah:

“And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth.” (Surah At-Talaq: 4)

وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ ٱلْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَـٰثَةُ أَشْهُرٍۢ وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰتُ ٱلْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ يُسْرًۭا ٤

✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi حفظہ اللہ

❪Jeddah Dawah Center – Al Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)