What is iddah and how long is the waiting period?
It depends on the situation. Iddah is the waiting period a woman observes before she can remarry. After a divorce it is usually three menstrual cycles, if she is pregnant it ends when she gives birth, and after her husband's death it is four months and ten days.
After a divorce
A divorced woman waits three cycles before marrying someone else:
Scholars differ slightly on how to count a "cycle" (Hanafi and Hanbali scholars count full periods of menstruation, Shafi'i and Maliki scholars count the clean times between them), but in practice it comes to about three months. If a woman no longer menstruates because of age, or has not yet menstruated, the iddah is three months. If she is pregnant, it lasts until delivery (Quran 65:4). There is no iddah if the divorce happens before the marriage was consummated (Quran 33:49).
After a husband's death
A widow observes a longer period, in part as mourning and respect:
During this time she avoids remarriage, proposals and heavy adornment. She can still live her life and attend to real needs. Details such as work or travel are discussed by scholars, so ask a trusted imam. See Can I travel during my iddah?
Why iddah exists
- To confirm whether she is pregnant, so a child's parentage is clear.
- To give the couple time to reconcile. After a first or second divorce, a husband may take his wife back during the iddah if both want to (Quran 2:228).
- To honour the marriage with a period of reflection, or mourning after a death.
During a divorce iddah, the Quran says the husband should not force his wife out of her home (Quran 65:1), and scholars discuss her maintenance during this time, which depends on the type of divorce.
In a Western country
Civil law doesn't recognise iddah, so you won't be asked about it at the registry office. It is a religious matter, and a nikah during iddah would not be valid. Make sure that your divorce is clear before planning a new marriage. See Is a civil divorce valid in Islam? and Can a sharia council grant an Islamic divorce?
- Divorced women wait about three months (three cycles) before remarrying.
- A pregnant woman waits until delivery; a widow waits four months and ten days.
- There is no iddah if the marriage was not consummated before divorce.
- The purpose is clarity, a chance to reconcile and respect for the marriage.
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