A woman observing the waiting period for widowhood who eats with her husband's family: is it permissible for her to sit for meals in the presence of her husband's brothers?

The questioner: Regarding the death of her husband, she is living with her husband's family. Is she allowed to be seen or not? Is it not the case that during the four months and ten days of the waiting period, no one is allowed to see her?

The Shaykh : No, it is not permissible for anyone to see her.

The questioner: Her relatives and these people.

The Shaykh : How?

The questioner: Her relatives and those who are not her relatives.

The Shaykh : Understand this. The common belief among people that no one is allowed to see her is incorrect. However, she is not allowed to leave the house. Furthermore, no one is allowed to see her in a way that is not permissible by the Shari'ah. For example, your relatives are not allowed to see a hair of yours, nor your foot, nor your arm, for instance.

The questioner: The forbidden thing, meaning they do not see it.

The Shaykh : Yes. As for them not seeing your face, there is no prohibition in that. But you must remain in the house where the deceased was and where you are.

The questioner: For example, if she is currently living in a house but is eating with her relatives, meaning in her in-laws' house, and when her husband died, most of her eating became in her in-laws' house.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: Would it be the case, for example, that her husband's brother is sitting with people while she is sitting?

The Shaykh : If she is veiled and maintains her religious etiquette, there is no obstacle to this until the waiting period ends, and then she goes to her father's and mother's house.