to her entails accepting what that marriage contract requires; thus, he has imposed this upon himself.

As for the view of those who say that she is under no obligation because she does not inherit, the response is that the ruling is not based on inheritance. Rather, it is based on the husband’s right, and mourning is secondary to and dependent upon the waiting period.

They also argue that, once the husband has died, the master’s right over her becomes attached to her. We reply: As long as she remains in her waiting period, the master has no right over her. This is why, if her master wished to have relations with her during the waiting period, he would be prevented from doing so.

His statement, “or one who is not legally accountable,” refers to a minor girl and an insane woman. Thus, if a man dies leaving behind an insane wife, she must observe the waiting period because she is his wife, and she must also observe mourning. Her guardian must therefore keep her from the things avoided by a mourning woman. The same applies to a minor girl, even if she is still in the cradle: if the husband of a small girl in the cradle dies, she must observe mourning. Thus, she is not to wear adornment clothing or gold jewelry, nor is she to be taken out of the house, as will come in the following chapter, Allah willing.

If someone says: How can you require her to observe mourning when she is not legally accountable?

We say: This is because it is among the husband’s rights, not an act of worship. Acts of worship are unquestionably waived in her case, but this pertains to marital rights. Therefore, just as we require her to observe the waiting period, we likewise require her to observe mourning, since it follows from it.

His statement, “Mourning is permissible for a woman irrevocably separated from a living husband,” means that mourning is permissible, but not obligatory, for a woman irrevocably separated from a living husband. An irrevocably separated woman is one whose separation occurred through one of three means