Question

Kindly share Hadiths related to the ‘iddah (waiting period), especially if there is a Hadith mentioning virtues for a woman who passes away during it.

Answer

I have not come across any Hadiths mentioning any virtue pertaining to a woman who passes away during her ‘iddah (waiting period).

Nonetheless, the following are two Hadiths pertaining to some rules of the ‘iddah:

1. ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdillah has narrated on behalf of his father, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Utbah, that he wrote to [‘Umar ibn ‘Abdillah] ibnul Arqam [rahimahumullah] requesting him to ask [Sayyidah] Subay’ah Al-Aslami [radiyallahu ‘anha] how Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) issued her a fatwa [ruling – i.e., during her ‘iddah whilst she was pregnant].

She [replied and] said: He [i.e., Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] issued me a fatwa stating that I can get married after giving birth [i.e., giving birth during the ‘iddah terminates the ‘iddah, regardless of how many days have passed].

(Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5319)

2. Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) has narrated that Ummu ‘Atiyyah’s (radiyallahu ‘anha) son passed away. On the third day [after his demise], she requested [that] yellow dye [be brought for her to apply]. [After it was brought] She then applied it and said: we have been prohibited (i.e., by Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) from Hidad (i.e., a type of mourning wherein one abstains from all types of beautification) for more than three days, unless it is regarding the (death of one’s) Husband [for in that case, a woman would be required to mourn her husband throughout the duration of her ‘iddah; a maximum of four months and ten days].

(Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1279; Also see: Hadith: 5341)

For more Hadiths on this subject matter, kindly refer to the respective chapter in the books of Hadith.

Note: The aforementioned Hadiths have merely been cited as an answer pertaining to the query. For further inquiries or official Fatwas (rulings) regarding this subject matter, kindly refer to a reliable Mufti/Darul Ifta.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar