Iddah of an elderly woman
Question
Does a 72 year-old woman need to sit in Iddah if her husband left her about 20-26 years ago. They had no contact with each other but were not divorced. She was informed of his death through a Mayyit notice. This was her second marriage and they had no children together. Is she allowed to continue going to work? She lives with her son and works a half day only.
Answer
Yes, she will have to serve her Iddah even though they were separated for a lengthy duration. If a period of 4 months and 10 days has already elapsed since his passing away, then her Iddat is over. The son should take care of her needs during the Iddat period if her husband has not left behind any inheritance for her. If her son provides for her, then it will not be permissible for her to go out to work.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
وإبتداء العدة في الطلاق عقيب الطلاق وفي الوفاة عقيب الوفاة فإن لم تعلم بالطلاق أو الوفاة حتى مضت مدة العدة فقد انقضت عدتها ” (الهداية ص276 ج2)
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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