But in their usage, the expression “observing a waiting period” can mean waiting for a single menstrual period, as in the hadith concerning the woman who obtained khul', transmitted through several routes: “He commanded her to observe a waiting period of one menstrual period.”

'Ā’ishah explained Allah’s words, “And married women, except those whom your right hands possess,” as meaning that these women become lawful to you once their waiting periods have ended. What is meant here is “ascertaining freedom from pregnancy,” since a woman taken captive is required only to wait for one menstrual period to establish that she is not pregnant. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said concerning the women taken captive at Awtās:

“A pregnant woman must not be approached sexually until she gives birth, nor a woman who is not pregnant until one menstrual period has established that she is not pregnant.”

The report also states that Allah then revealed: “And married women, except those whom your right hands possess.” Likewise, the well-known hadith of Abū Sa'īd al-Khudrī concerning the women taken captive at Awtās, transmitted through Abū al-Khalīl, states: “They become lawful once their waiting periods have ended.” (*) Concerning this, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“A pregnant woman must not be approached sexually until she gives birth, nor a woman who is not pregnant until it has been established that she is not pregnant.”

Abū Sa'īd narrated both reports.

According to both hadiths, a slave woman who has borne her master a child observes a waiting period of one menstrual period. As for 'Amr ibn 'Āsim’s statement, “And I believe he said: ‘She observes the waiting period of a free woman,’” this is uncertainty upon which no proof can be based.

Two opinions are reported from Ahmad concerning the waiting period of a woman who obtains khul'. Abū Bakr mentioned both in his book al-Shāfī. Abū Bakr said in al-Shāfī: “Chapter: The Waiting Period of a Woman Who Obtains Khul', a Woman Separated by Mutual Imprecation, and imra'at 'asbā.”

He narrated through his chain of transmission from al-Athram and Ibrāhīm ibn al-Hārith that Abū 'Abd Allāh was asked: “Is the waiting period of every divorced woman three menstrual periods?”

He replied: “Yes, except for a slave woman.”

He was asked: “Does that include a woman who obtains khul', a woman separated by mutual imprecation, and the wife of an apostate?”

He replied: “Yes. Every separation entails a waiting period of three menstrual periods.” It is also reported from Abū Tālib that