Q: A man has died leaving an old narrow-minded wife, who is more than seventy years old. As an old woman, she could not answer his needs. Is it obligatory on her to observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) like any other widow? What is the wisdom behind prescribing `Iddah in case of an old woman? If the wisdom behind prescribing `Iddah is to make sure whether the woman is pregnant or not, why does the `Iddah of a pregnant woman end with delivery? And why is an old woman, who is beyond the age of childbearing, obligated to observe `Iddah?

A: This woman should observe `Iddah for four months and ten days since she is included in the general meaning of the following 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) Here are some of the wisdom behind prescribing `Iddah and Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband) in case of an old woman who is beyond the age of childbearing: showing the seriousness of the marriage contract, honoring its sacred bond, revealing its esteemed status, granting the husband his full right, and showing the pain of bereavement by the wife's abstinence from (Part No. 20; Page No. 433) adorning herself. That is why the period of Hidad prescribed for mourning a husband is longer than that of the father and the son. The `Iddah of a pregnant woman ends when she delivers the baby. Allah (Exalted be He) 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 This Ayah gives a specific ruling, while a general ruling is stated in the following Ayah: 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) One wisdom behind making delivery the end of a pregnant woman's `Iddah is that pregnancy is the right of the first husband. If a pregnant woman marries another man immediately after losing her first husband, whether by death or any other cause, this second husband will be considered as having watered with his semen the sowing of another man; and this is not permissible. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “It is not lawful for a man who believes in Allah and the Last Day to water with his semen the sowing of another.” (Related by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Hibban on the authority of Ruwayfi` ibn Thabit Al-Ansary, [may Allah be pleased with him]) It is the duty of a Muslim to adhere to the rulings of Shari`ah (Islamic law), whether they know the wisdom behind them or not, and to believe that Allah (Glorified be He) is All-Wise in His Legislations and Decrees. Anyone whom Allah (Exalted be He) aids to know the wisdom behind some legislations is granted a light (Part No. 20; Page No. 434) and a blessing from Him. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.