Rulings Concerning the Woman in the Waiting Period Following Her Husband's Death

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner, 'Abd, says: My aunt passed away, and they told her not to change her clothes, not to drink certain beverages like coffee and saffron, and also not to go out to the market. What is the validity of this? May you be rewarded.

Answer:
This has no validity in some respects. First, the woman whose husband has died is required to remain in the marital home as much as she can, and she may not leave except for a pressing need, and only during the day. Second, she must abandon her adornment clothes; she does not adorn herself with clothing, nor with jewelry, nor does she use any type of perfume, nor does she drink anything that contains perfume, such as coffee with saffron, for saffron is a type of perfume. She should drink coffee without saffron or anything that has a pleasant scent. Yes.