When does the waiting period begin for a woman whose husband was lost and then found dead?

Question: A woman lost her husband, and after a week he was found dead. She believed he had died three days prior. When does her waiting period begin? Is it from the date he was lost, the date she believes he died, or the date he was found? We ask you to kindly provide an answer.

Answer: She must begin her waiting period from the time he was found dead, because that is the certain fact. Her waiting period is four months and ten days, and she must also observe the mourning period, unless she is pregnant, in which case her period ends with the delivery of the child. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surat al-Baqarah: 234], and His saying: : [Surat al-Talaq: 4]. It is also established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ruled that Subay'ah al-Aslamiyyah exited her waiting period upon delivering her child. This hadith is agreed upon as authentic. And success is from Allah.