iddet

Iddet is a Turkish noun with multiple, distinct meanings. In everyday language it can denote strength, force, or endurance, reflecting its broader sense of capacity or vigor. In a religious and legal context, iddet (or iddah) refers to the waiting period prescribed in Islamic law after certain life events, during which remarriage is prohibited.

The term iddet is derived from the Arabic word iddah (often translated as waiting period or counting), and Turkish usage mirrors this origin. In Islamic jurisprudence, the iddet serves to determine whether a woman is pregnant and to regulate the timing of remarriage. The rules vary by circumstance: after the death of a husband, the waiting period is typically four months and ten days; after a divorce or separation, the waiting period is usually three menstrual cycles, or three months if the woman has no regular menses. If the woman is pregnant at the time of divorce or widowhood, the waiting period lasts until delivery.

In modern Turkey, iddet remains a concept rooted in traditional Islamic practice and is observed by many adherents in religious contexts, though civil law governs most secular personal-status matters. The practice and its durations are often discussed in religious education and discourse, and they can vary in interpretation among different Islamic schools of thought and communities.

See also: iddah, iddet müddeti.