Q: A man married a woman. Two months after consummating his marriage to her, he traveled. Later, it became evident to him that she was unsuitable as a wife. He divorced her and sent her the divorce paper a year after his travel.The question is whether a divorced woman should wait until she finishes her `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) or can she marry immediately after receiving the divorce paper, given that her husband has not had intercourse with her for a year as previously mentioned. Please advise, Your Eminence, may Allah benefit Islam and the Muslims with your knowledge.

A: The `Iddah starts from the day of the occurrence of divorce by the husband, not from the day of receiving the divorce paper. Thus, it is unlawful for her to marry except after having three menstrual periods after the occurrence of divorce. If she does not have her menstrual periods, she must wait for three months; if she is pregnant, she must wait until she delivers the baby, according to (Part No. 20; Page No. 426) Allah's Saying, And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods Allah also says, And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the ‘Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubt (about their periods), is three months; and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their ‘Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise, except in case of death]. 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 May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.