The widow’s view of foreign men
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The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 17953 )
Q4: If a man dies leaving behind his wife, what does the four months and ten days mean for her? Does it mean she does not see men, for example, as she sees them in the streets? And what the women among us do is that she does not leave her house and does not see anyone except women or her relatives until this waiting period ends. Even if she sees a man in the street, she adds to this waiting period by the amount of time she saw foreign men. Is this correct?
A4: If the deceased’s wife is pregnant, her waiting period ends with the delivery of the child. If she is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days. It is obligatory for her to observe the mourning period (Ihdad) during this time, which is: remaining in the house where her husband died and in which she was residing, and not leaving it except for a valid excuse. She must avoid perfume and adornment for the duration of the waiting period. There is no harm in her speaking to men and seeing them out of necessity. Her seeing men does not affect her waiting period. However, it is obligatory for her to lower her gaze, like other women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q4: If a man dies leaving behind his wife, what does the four months and ten days mean for her? Does it mean she does not see men, for example, as she sees them in the streets? And what the women among us do is that she does not leave her house and does not see anyone except women or her relatives until this waiting period ends. Even if she sees a man in the street, she adds to this waiting period by the amount of time she saw foreign men. Is this correct?
A4: If the deceased’s wife is pregnant, her waiting period ends with the delivery of the child. If she is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days. It is obligatory for her to observe the mourning period (Ihdad) during this time, which is: remaining in the house where her husband died and in which she was residing, and not leaving it except for a valid excuse. She must avoid perfume and adornment for the duration of the waiting period. There is no harm in her speaking to men and seeing them out of necessity. Her seeing men does not affect her waiting period. However, it is obligatory for her to lower her gaze, like other women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.