A man died leaving behind his wife, and she did not learn of his death until some time later. Does her waiting period begin from the time she learned of his death?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. A man was lost in a shipwreck, and his fate was not known. Sixteen days have now passed since the incident, and they are waiting for the DNA analysis. Do his wives observe the waiting period for him, or what should they do? May Allah grant you success.

Answer:
If his death is established on a specific day, then his wife begins her waiting period from the time of his death, even if she did not learn of it until later. If she did not know until after she had completed four months and ten days, she has already finished her waiting period. If she is within the four months, she completes the remainder, and the matter is concluded. This is easy. She is currently avoiding the prohibitions that a woman in waiting avoids. If his death is confirmed, she begins her waiting period from the time of his death. Yes.