Is it obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to remain in her home for the entire waiting period, never leaving it, even to go to the hospital in a case of necessity?

The questioner : This is a female listener, whose name is indicated by this code. She says: I hope you will answer my questions as much as possible, and may Allah reward you with all good. She asks: Is it obligatory for a woman whose husband has died to remain in her home for the entire waiting period, never leaving it, even to go to the hospital in a case of necessity? And is it required of her, while in the waiting period, not to speak to anyone who is a non-mahram to her, even over the phone, for example? It may happen that no one is in the house, so she is forced to pick up the phone, and the person speaking is a man. And does a woman sin if she does not stay in the house during the waiting period and goes out to work, if she is a teacher or an employee, for example? What are the prohibitions for a woman during the waiting period, and what is not permissible for her? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : The woman in the waiting period due to the death of her husband.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for her to remain in the home where her husband died and where she was residing.

The questioner : Very well.

The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: However, there is no harm in her going out for a need, such as going out to buy household necessities if there is no one else to buy them, or going out to perform her work at the school, or going out to the hospital. As for at night, the scholars have said that she does not go out except out of dire necessity, such as if she fears for her safety if she remains in the house alone, or if the house is on the verge of collapsing and it is raining, so she fears it will fall on her, or if a fire breaks out in the house, so she goes out. The important point is that the jurists, may Allah have mercy on them, distinguished between night and day. They said that during the day she may go out for a need, which is less than dire necessity, and at night she does not go out except out of dire necessity. This is regarding the obligation to stay in the residence.
As for what she wears, she does not wear clothes of adornment, meaning she does not wear clothes whose wearing is considered adornment. As for her usual clothes, she may wear them, whether they are black, green, yellow, red, or otherwise. That is to say, a specific color is not required for the clothes; what is required is that the garment not be a garment of adornment.
The second point is that she does not adorn herself, meaning she does not wear jewelry, such as a bracelet, necklace, ring, anklet, or any other type of jewelry. Even if she has a gold tooth that can be removed without harm, she should remove it if it gives beauty and adornment. However, if she is unable to remove it or fears harm from removing it, it remains, but she should strive as much as possible not to display it.
So, regarding the tooth, we say that if she fears harm from removing it, it remains, but she should strive not to display it as much as she is able.
The third point is that she does not apply kohl and does not beautify herself with other adornments, such as reddening the lips and cheeks, applying makeup, and the like. She must avoid all of this.
As for speaking with people and addressing them, there is no harm, whether directly or via the telephone. She may go up to the roof at night and day, and she may go out to the courtyard of the house at night and day.
As for what has become widespread among the general public, that she does not speak to anyone, not even on the telephone, this is an error.
And there remains a fourth thing that is forbidden for her, which is using perfume. She does not use perfume, whether oil, incense, or otherwise, except if she has become pure from menstruation. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.