The widow remaining in the marital home
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Fatwa number ( 17703 )
Q: I was married and living in my husband's house. My husband left me, and then he passed away in a car accident (may Allah have mercy on him). From that moment, I left my home and went to my parents' house. He was in the hospital, and they took him out the next day and buried him. So, I went to
his family’s house to attend the mourning period there for three days. However, I slept at my parents’ house during this time, and in the morning I would go to his family’s house. After that, I settled in my parents’ house until the time of my delivery came, which was one week after my husband’s death. I have heard, O honorable Shaykh, that it is not permissible for a woman to leave her husband’s house during the waiting period, knowing that my husband’s house was far from my parents’ house, and I was alone there and unable to live in it at all. I ask you to inform me of the ruling, and may Allah protect you.
A: It is obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to remain in the marital home where he died until the completion of the waiting period. It is not permissible for her to move to another house except out of dire necessity. If she is unable to stay in it due to a legal impediment that prevents her from doing so, she may move to a place where she feels safe regarding herself. If the reality in your case is as you described, namely that you were alone in the house and unable to stay in it by yourself, then there is no blame on you for moving to your parents’ house. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I was married and living in my husband's house. My husband left me, and then he passed away in a car accident (may Allah have mercy on him). From that moment, I left my home and went to my parents' house. He was in the hospital, and they took him out the next day and buried him. So, I went to
his family’s house to attend the mourning period there for three days. However, I slept at my parents’ house during this time, and in the morning I would go to his family’s house. After that, I settled in my parents’ house until the time of my delivery came, which was one week after my husband’s death. I have heard, O honorable Shaykh, that it is not permissible for a woman to leave her husband’s house during the waiting period, knowing that my husband’s house was far from my parents’ house, and I was alone there and unable to live in it at all. I ask you to inform me of the ruling, and may Allah protect you.
A: It is obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to remain in the marital home where he died until the completion of the waiting period. It is not permissible for her to move to another house except out of dire necessity. If she is unable to stay in it due to a legal impediment that prevents her from doing so, she may move to a place where she feels safe regarding herself. If the reality in your case is as you described, namely that you were alone in the house and unable to stay in it by yourself, then there is no blame on you for moving to your parents’ house. 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.