Chapter on Residence during the Waiting Period

A woman in ʿidda, whether for widowhood or divorce, is obliged to spend the nights in her own home; she may not leave it except for a genuine excuse or a matter she must personally attend to when no one else can do so on her behalf. There is no objection to her going out by day to take care of her needs. According to Mālik, she may likewise go out at the two ends of the day and during the night—at the beginning of the night when people are about, and again at its close when things have quieted down—and this is acceptable. It is recommended that the sun should never set upon her except while she is in her house, and it is impermissible for her to spend the night anywhere but in her own dwelling. If, on any night during her waiting period, she goes out and lodges elsewhere, she commits a sin thereby, and she may not do so again for the remainder of her ʿidda. She may, however, count what has already elapsed of that period, and