Enumerate the types of ’Iddah and explain how they are observed.

Answer Details

‘Iddah is the prescribed waiting period a woman must observe after the termination of her marriage by divorce or the death of her husband, before she may remarry. Its purpose is to ascertain whether she is pregnant (to protect lineage), to allow for possible reconciliation, and to mourn the deceased husband. The types are:

1. ‘Iddah of a divorced woman who menstruates. She observes three menstrual cycles (quru’). "Divorced women shall wait for three menstrual periods" (Q2:228). During this time she remains in her husband's house and he may take her back if it is a revocable divorce.
2. ‘Iddah of a woman who does not menstruate (because of old age or being too young). Her waiting period is three lunar months. "...their waiting period is three months" (Q65:4).
3. ‘Iddah of a pregnant woman. Her waiting period lasts until she delivers her child, whether by divorce or death of the husband. "For those pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burden" (Q65:4).
4. ‘Iddah of a widow (death of the husband). If not pregnant, she waits four lunar months and ten days. "Those who die and leave wives behind, they shall wait four months and ten days" (Q2:234). She also observes mourning (ihdad), avoiding adornment, perfume and going out unnecessarily.
5. ‘Iddah of a woman whose marriage was not consummated. If she is divorced before the marriage is consummated, there is no ‘iddah upon her (Q33:49), except in the case of the husband's death, when she observes the widow's ‘iddah.

How it is observed: the woman generally remains in the marital home, does not remarry until the period ends, and in the case of widowhood or irrevocable divorce refrains from adornment. The purpose is fulfilled once the period is complete.