iddah

Iddah, an Arabic term meaning a waiting period, is a term in Islamic law describing the period a woman must observe after the death of her husband or after a divorce before she may remarry. The purpose is to determine whether the woman is pregnant and to provide a transition period for familial and social stability, as well as to clarify paternity if applicable.

The length of iddah depends on the reason for the restriction. For a widow, the period is four lunar months and ten days. For a divorced woman, the period is generally three lunar cycles; if she has no regular menses or if the cycle length is uncertain, some schools allow three months. If the woman is pregnant at the time of divorce or death, iddah continues until her delivery. In cases of pregnancy, the gestational period takes precedence over other rules.

There are variations in interpretation among Islamic legal schools, with some differences in how to apply iddah for women who are not menstruating due to age or health. The overarching principle remains that remarriage is not allowed during iddah, and the period may end earlier if pregnancy ends (birth) and other conditions are satisfied.

In practice, iddah is a legal and social period that marks the end of one marriage and the transition toward a potential new marriage, while providing time to establish lineage and ensure that the woman’s status is clear.