Rulings on the Waiting Period: Mourning, Going Out, and Adornment

Question:
What is obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to do? Is it forbidden if she combs her hair? And if she sees unrelated men unintentionally, or sees herself in a mirror, does she commit a sin? Also, if she bathes with soap and oils her hair with oil that has no scent, is she sinful given the circumstances? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
It is obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to do what Allah the Exalted has commanded, which is to observe the waiting period for death of four months and ten days, based on His saying: . It is also obligatory for her to observe the waiting period in the house where her husband died and she was residing, so that she remains there until the waiting period ends, based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): "She should remain in... . There is no objection to her going out for her necessary needs during the day, if she has a necessary need that cannot be fulfilled except by going out; in that case, she goes out during the day, not at night. As for the night, she stays in the house, as long as she is able to do so during the waiting period. As for what she must avoid, she is required to observe mourning (iḥdād) during the waiting period. Mourning means avoiding what beautifies her and makes people desire to look at her or seek her company. She avoids types of adornment, such as jewelry and clothing meant for adornment. She does not adorn herself with jewelry, nor with clothes of adornment. She avoids perfume in all its forms during the waiting period, as well as perfumed substances, whether oily materials, soap, or otherwise. She avoids all perfumed materials and substances that leave a scent on her hand or body. However, applying things that do not have the scent of perfume, bathing, and using non-perfumed soap, or siddur, or other cleansers, is not a burden on her. There is no burden on her to bathe with water, nor to apply oils that do not contain perfume, nor to apply oils to her head and hair that do not contain perfume; there is no burden on her in using them. Likewise, there is no burden on her to look in the mirror during the waiting period, nor to speak to men to the extent of necessity, without fitnah (temptation) and without seclusion. She speaks to them to the extent of necessity with... and... May Allah... and I ask for forgiveness in prayer.

The presenter:
May Allah bless you. May Allah reward you with good.