Fatwa ID: 08094
Answered by: Moulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum,
I seek guidance regarding a matter of divorce under Islamic law, specifically about the observance of the waiting period (iddah) in a unique situation. My mother initiated a separation from my father due to prolonged suffering and harm. Despite the absence of cohabitation for over three years, the legal process of divorce (initially filed as khul’) concluded only recently, transitioning the grounds to divorce due to harm.
Given the extended period since their last cohabitation and the finalization of their divorce under the premise of harm, I am uncertain about the necessity and duration of the iddah for my mother. Traditional interpretations suggest a three-month waiting period, but the prolonged separation and absence of physical relations present a complex scenario.
Could you please provide a scholarly ruling that takes into account:
The prolonged separation exceeding three years,
The recent legal conclusion of the divorce on grounds of harm,
The applicability and duration of iddah in such a context?
Your insight and guidance would be immensely appreciated, as we aim to adhere to Islamic principles while navigating this situation. Jazak Allah Khair.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Jazak’Allah Khair for your question. While similar questions have been raised before, every situation has its own unique aspects, and it’s important to address your specific circumstances with care and consideration.
Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf Ludhiyanvi رحمه الله cites a fatwa that even if a woman has been separated from her husband for 4 or 5 years, she is still required to observe her Iddah for 3 months. (Aap Ke Masaail Aur Un Ka Hal, volume 5, page 414)
In answer to your questions:
Although the period of separation exceeds three years, she will still observe Iddah from the date of the actual divorce.
The legal ruling for divorce on the grounds of harm is unfortunate yet has no effect on the duration of Iddah.
The context suggests that the divorce took place on a set date; the Iddah period of 3 months would start from that date.
Your dedication to upholding Islamic principles is truly commendable and deserving of praise. Islam is a just and balanced religion, and the Shariah outlines obligatory rights that we should all strive to observe with Taqwa, sound knowledge, and wisdom.
«هي تربّصٌ يلزم المرأة بسبب زوال النكاح المتأكد بالدخول أو الموت»
«عدّة الحرّة للطّلاق أو الفسخ ثلاثة أقراءٍ أي حيضٍ أو ثلاثة أشهرٍ إن لم تحض»
(Kitab Kunz ad-Daqaiq, p. 804 [Al-Maktaba al-Shamila])
“It [Iddah] is a waiting period incumbent upon a woman due to the termination of a confirmed marriage by consummation or death.”
“The Iddah of a free woman for divorce or annulment is three quru’ which means three menstrual cycles, or three months if she does not menstruate.”
«وَهُوَ قَوْلُهُ: سُبْحَانَهُ – {فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ} [الطلاق: ٤]- أَنَّهُ نَفْسُ الْمُدَّةِ الْخَاصَّةِ الَّتِي تَعَلَّقَتْ الْحُرُمَاتُ فِيهَا وَتَقَيَّدَتْ بِهَا، لَا الْحُرُمَاتُ الثَّابِتَةُ فِيهَا وَلَا وُجُودُ الْكُفْءِ وَلَا التَّرَبُّصُ. اهـ. وَلَا يُشْكِلُ عَلَيْهِ كَوْنُ الْحُرُمَاتِ رُكْنًا، لِأَنَّ لَهُ مَنْعَهُ وَلِذَا جَعَلَهَا بَعْضُهُمْ حُكْمَ الْعِدَّةِ وَهُوَ الْأَظْهَرُ عَلَى التَّعْرِيفَيْنِ»
(Kitab Hashiyat Ibn Abidin = Radd al-Muhtar, vol. 3, p. 602 [Al-Maktaba al-Shamila])
“And that is His saying, the Exalted – {Then their waiting period is three months} [At-Talaq: 4] – that it is the same specific duration in which the prohibitions are connected and restricted, not the prohibitions established within it, nor the existence of compatibility, nor the waiting itself.”
«طلاق کے بعد عدت ضروری ہے خواہ عورت شوہر کے پاس رہتی ہو یا عرصہ سے شوہر سے الگ رہتی ہو»
(Aap Ke Masaail Aur Un Ka Hal, 5:414 [Maktaba Ludhyanvi])
“Iddah is necessary after divorce, whether the woman resides with her husband or has been separated from her husband for a long time.”
Based on these references, the prolonged separation prior to the divorce does not negate the requirement of Iddah after the divorce is finalized. The Iddah period for a divorced woman who menstruates is three menstrual cycles. If she does not menstruate, it is three lunar months. The Iddah begins from the date the divorce is legally finalized. The grounds of the divorce (whether by khul’ or due to harm) do not alter the duration of the Iddah.
Therefore, your mother is obligated to observe the Iddah period of three menstrual cycles, starting from the date the divorce was legally concluded. If she is no longer menstruating, she should observe an Iddah of three lunar months.
Only Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) knows best.
Written by Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
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