Q 1: Is it permissible for a pregnant widow along with her co-wife of a polygyny to stop Hidad (mourning prescribed period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to her passed away husband's home) when the baby is born?

A: Both the `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) and Hidad of a pregnant widow have to continue until the baby is born. This is unlike the `Iddah and Hidad of a non-pregnant widow which have to continue for four months and ten days. Proof for the foregoing is the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) in which Allah (Exalted be He) says, And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (the wives) shall wait (as regards their marriage) for four months and ten (days) (Part No. 20; Page No. 405) He (Exalted be He) also says, And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their ‘Iddah (prescribed period) is until they lay down their burden The Prophet (peace be upon him) decided the termination of the `Iddah of Subay`ah Al-Aslamiyyah, who was a pregnant widow, by giving birth to her baby. The non-pregnant widow is not permitted to terminate her Hidad when her co-wife of a polygyny gives birth to her baby. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.