Book of ʿIdda
Introduction
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Book of ʿIdda
The ʿidda is the legally required waiting period observed by a woman who has separated from her husband, whether the separation was caused by his death or occurred while he is still alive.

A woman widowed by death1 must in every case observe an ʿidda. If she is pregnant by the deceased, her waiting period lasts until she has delivered the entire pregnancy.

If she is not pregnant and is a freewoman, her ʿidda is four months and ten nights, counted in full days; a slave woman observes half of that time.

A woman separated while her husband is still alive does not observe any ʿidda unless he had been alone with her in seclusion or had intercourse with her, and both parties are of an age at which intercourse is normally possible—that is, a boy of ten years and a girl of nine.

If she is pregnant, her ʿidda ends with delivery.

If she is not pregnant but menstruates, her ʿidda is three menstrual cycles if she is free, and two cycles if she is a slave.3

If she does not menstruate—because she is a minor, has reached puberty without ever seeing menstrual or postpartum blood, or is post-menopausal, the latter being defined as a woman who has reached fifty years—her ʿidda is three lunar months if free, and two months if a slave.2