Is it obligatory for a woman in the waiting period whose husband has died to adhere to wearing black, or is any color permissible, given that we hear that the woman in mourning, especially the common people, wears black, sits on black, and prays on black, and there are beliefs among them for which Allah has sent down no authority? We hope for clarification of what is obligatory for the woman whose husband has died regarding clothing and other matters?
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The questioner : Is it obligatory for a woman in the waiting period whose husband has died to adhere to wearing black, or is any color permissible, given that we hear that the woman in mourning, especially the common people, wears black, sits on black, and prays on black, and there are beliefs among them for which Allah has sent down no authority? We hope for clarification of what is obligatory for the woman whose husband has died regarding clothing and other matters?
The Shaykh : Yes. It is obligatory for the woman whose husband has died to observe the mourning period for the duration of the waiting period. The duration of the waiting period is defined by time and by condition. If the woman whose husband has died is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days from the time of his death, whether she knew of his death at the time it occurred or did not know until later. The period begins from the time of death. So if it happens that he died and she did not know of his death until two months had passed, then only two months and ten days remain for her of the waiting period and the mourning period.
So the waiting period for the non-pregnant woman is limited by time, specifically four months and ten days from his death.
As for the pregnant woman, her waiting period is until she delivers the pregnancy, whether the period is long or short. The waiting period might be an hour, two hours, or less, or it might be a year, two years, or more. This is based on the saying of the Exalted regarding the first case:[Al-Baqarah 2:234] and His saying regarding the second case: [At-Talaq 65:4] It is established in the two Sahihs that Subay'ah al-Aslamiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave birth a few nights after her husband's death, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted her to marry.
In the waiting period due to death, it is obligatory for the woman to observe the mourning period. The mourning period includes several matters. The first is that she must not leave the house except for a need.
The second is that she must not adorn herself with clothing. She must not wear clothes that are considered clothes of adornment. She may wear whatever she wishes from other clothing, such as black, red, green, or anything else that is permissible to wear, without being restricted to the color black.
The third is that she must not adorn herself with jewelry of any kind, whether it is bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, or anything else. It is obligatory for her to remove the jewelry. If she cannot remove it except by cutting it, it is obligatory for her to cut it.
The fourth is that she must not adorn herself by beautifying her eyes, cheeks, or lips. It is not permissible for her to use kohl, nor to apply rouge, nor to use lip color.
The fifth is that she must not use any type of perfume, whether it is incense or oil, except if she has purified herself from menstruation. In that case, she may use incense in the place where the foul odor is.
As for what some of the common people mention, such as that she must not speak to anyone, no one must see her, she must not go out to the courtyard, she must not go out to the roof, she must not face the moon, she must not take a bath except on Friday, and she must not delay the prayer beyond the time of the call to prayer but must hasten to it from the time of the call, all these things have no basis in the Shari'ah.
The woman observing the mourning period is like any other woman in speaking to men, and likewise in looking at men and men looking at her. She is like any other woman in that she must cover her face and whatever leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is permissible for her to speak to a man, even if he is not one of her mahram (a relative one may not marry), if there is no fitnah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
This is 'Abd al-Ra'uf 'Abd Allah Faltah...
The Shaykh : And likewise.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Part of speaking to men is answering the telephone and answering the door of the house when it is knocked on, and the like of that.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. It is obligatory for the woman whose husband has died to observe the mourning period for the duration of the waiting period. The duration of the waiting period is defined by time and by condition. If the woman whose husband has died is not pregnant, her waiting period is four months and ten days from the time of his death, whether she knew of his death at the time it occurred or did not know until later. The period begins from the time of death. So if it happens that he died and she did not know of his death until two months had passed, then only two months and ten days remain for her of the waiting period and the mourning period.
So the waiting period for the non-pregnant woman is limited by time, specifically four months and ten days from his death.
As for the pregnant woman, her waiting period is until she delivers the pregnancy, whether the period is long or short. The waiting period might be an hour, two hours, or less, or it might be a year, two years, or more. This is based on the saying of the Exalted regarding the first case:
And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]
وَالَّذينَ يُتَوَفَّونَ مِنكُم وَيَذَرونَ أَزواجًا يَتَرَبَّصنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَربَعَةَ أَشهُرٍ وَعَشرًاAnd for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth
وَأُولاتُ الأَحمالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعنَ حَملَهُنَّIn the waiting period due to death, it is obligatory for the woman to observe the mourning period. The mourning period includes several matters. The first is that she must not leave the house except for a need.
The second is that she must not adorn herself with clothing. She must not wear clothes that are considered clothes of adornment. She may wear whatever she wishes from other clothing, such as black, red, green, or anything else that is permissible to wear, without being restricted to the color black.
The third is that she must not adorn herself with jewelry of any kind, whether it is bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, or anything else. It is obligatory for her to remove the jewelry. If she cannot remove it except by cutting it, it is obligatory for her to cut it.
The fourth is that she must not adorn herself by beautifying her eyes, cheeks, or lips. It is not permissible for her to use kohl, nor to apply rouge, nor to use lip color.
The fifth is that she must not use any type of perfume, whether it is incense or oil, except if she has purified herself from menstruation. In that case, she may use incense in the place where the foul odor is.
As for what some of the common people mention, such as that she must not speak to anyone, no one must see her, she must not go out to the courtyard, she must not go out to the roof, she must not face the moon, she must not take a bath except on Friday, and she must not delay the prayer beyond the time of the call to prayer but must hasten to it from the time of the call, all these things have no basis in the Shari'ah.
The woman observing the mourning period is like any other woman in speaking to men, and likewise in looking at men and men looking at her. She is like any other woman in that she must cover her face and whatever leads to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is permissible for her to speak to a man, even if he is not one of her mahram (a relative one may not marry), if there is no fitnah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
This is 'Abd al-Ra'uf 'Abd Allah Faltah...
The Shaykh : And likewise.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Part of speaking to men is answering the telephone and answering the door of the house when it is knocked on, and the like of that.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.