Rulings for the woman in 'iddah whose husband has died
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The sister asking the question says at the end of her letter: How does a woman observe 'iddah when her husband dies, and is she prevented from doing household chores, and prevented from putting oil in her hair and the like?
Answer: The woman in 'iddah whose husband has died must observe five matters:
The first matter: She must remain in the house where her husband died and she was residing, if it is suitable; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the woman in 'iddah:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1204Sahih (Darussalam) So if the house is suitable, she remains in it. However, if it is in ruins, or if she has no one there to keep her company and she feels lonely, there is no blame on her for going out. Or if it is rented and the lease has ended, or something similar. But there is nothing wrong with her going out for a need, such as going to the doctor, or going to the market to buy some of her needs if she has no one to buy them for her. There is nothing wrong with this.
The second matter: She must wear clothes that are not beautiful, clothes that do not attract attention. As for beautiful clothes, she must avoid them. But she wears clothes that are not beautiful, black, or blue, or green, or red; there is nothing wrong with that. As for the saying of some people that she is obligated to wear black, this is a mistake. It is not obligatory to wear black. She wears whatever is available, whether black or otherwise, blue, green, red, or otherwise, but it must be clothes that are not beautiful and do not attract attention.
The third matter: Not using perfume, neither incense nor other perfumes, except if she is menstruating. When she becomes pure, she uses incense upon her purity, as came in the noble hadith.
The fourth: Not wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, and the like, whether of gold, silver, diamonds, or otherwise. She avoids all jewelry for the duration of the 'iddah.
The fifth: Kohl, kohl for the eyes, and henna on the hand, or on the foot, or on the head. She avoids henna, kohl, makeup, and the like until she completes her 'iddah. These are five matters that the woman in 'iddah must observe. And as for what is other than that, like the rest of women, she may speak to whomever she wishes of the men on the telephone or otherwise, without any suspicion. She may uncover her head in her house in the presence of her women and her children. She may serve in her house. She may go up to the roof and go out to the garden in the open or during the day; there is nothing wrong with that. She may wash herself whenever she wishes, on Friday and other days. She may change her clothes whenever she wishes. All these matters, with the praise of Allah, are broad. Many of the common people impose strictness on themselves without evidence, out of ignorance. Women should know these matters and be upon clear understanding. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good and may Allah bless you.
Answer: The woman in 'iddah whose husband has died must observe five matters:
The first matter: She must remain in the house where her husband died and she was residing, if it is suitable; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the woman in 'iddah:
Stay in your house until what is written reaches its term.
امكثي في بيتك حتى يبلغ الكتاب أجلهThe second matter: She must wear clothes that are not beautiful, clothes that do not attract attention. As for beautiful clothes, she must avoid them. But she wears clothes that are not beautiful, black, or blue, or green, or red; there is nothing wrong with that. As for the saying of some people that she is obligated to wear black, this is a mistake. It is not obligatory to wear black. She wears whatever is available, whether black or otherwise, blue, green, red, or otherwise, but it must be clothes that are not beautiful and do not attract attention.
The third matter: Not using perfume, neither incense nor other perfumes, except if she is menstruating. When she becomes pure, she uses incense upon her purity, as came in the noble hadith.
The fourth: Not wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, and the like, whether of gold, silver, diamonds, or otherwise. She avoids all jewelry for the duration of the 'iddah.
The fifth: Kohl, kohl for the eyes, and henna on the hand, or on the foot, or on the head. She avoids henna, kohl, makeup, and the like until she completes her 'iddah. These are five matters that the woman in 'iddah must observe. And as for what is other than that, like the rest of women, she may speak to whomever she wishes of the men on the telephone or otherwise, without any suspicion. She may uncover her head in her house in the presence of her women and her children. She may serve in her house. She may go up to the roof and go out to the garden in the open or during the day; there is nothing wrong with that. She may wash herself whenever she wishes, on Friday and other days. She may change her clothes whenever she wishes. All these matters, with the praise of Allah, are broad. Many of the common people impose strictness on themselves without evidence, out of ignorance. Women should know these matters and be upon clear understanding. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good and may Allah bless you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.