Fatwa ID: 03060

Answered by:  Maulana Nabil khan​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

It wouldn't be permissible for a woman to leave her house to see her deceased husband before burial as she is now in iddah, would it?

Answer:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

‘Iddah’ is a mandatory time spent post severance of marriage in Islam. This severance may generally be initiated by two occurrences. One being divorce and the second being the death of the husband. In the case of death, the ‘iddah’ will be initiated immediately, consequently requiring the widow to stay in the state of ‘iddah’ for a total of 4 months plus 10 days. Allah says in the Quran regarding women whom their husbands have passed on, “They (the widows) must wait a period of 4 months and 10 days.”

This ‘iddah’ is mandatory and must be completed before it is permissible for the widow to remarry. The ‘iddah’ contains a sense of mourning over the deceased, therefore there are rules and restrictions mandatory to fulfil will in the state of ‘iddah’. One of the restrictions during ‘iddah’ is leaving the home. The scholars have mentioned that it would be permitted in the case of death for the widow to leave the house for the purpose of work since she will not be granted expenditure in such a case. Although, the general restriction will stand until there is a severe need to leave the home, like those mentioned above. In conclusion, it would not be permitted for a widow to leave her home during the time of ‘iddah’ to visit the graveyard whether for her deceased husband or otherwise. 

No doubt such a time is extremely difficult, and only Allah can ease such pain. However the time of ‘iddah’ should be used for worship, and all worship must be within the limits of Allah to be truly valid. Insha Allah acts within the limits will definitely bring goodness after this test.

Reference:

Al-Hidaya: Kitab Al-Nikah, Chapter: Iddah pg 283

Al-Fatawa Al-Hinidyya: Kitab Al-Nikah, Chapter Iddah pd 551

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Maulana Nabil khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham