Ruling on a pregnant woman observing `Iddah

A: If your brother's pregnant wife is still married to him or is observing `Iddah for a revocable or an irrevocable divorce, she must continue to observe it until delivery. The reason for this is that a pregnant woman's `Iddah, whether she is a widow or a divorcee, only expires upon the delivery of a child. This is based on the general meaning of the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) which reads: 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 A widow shall observe `Iddah for four months and ten days if she is not pregnant; otherwise, she has to continue observing it until she delivers the baby. Besides observing `Iddah, a widow has also to observe Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband). This is if her husband dies without divorcing her, or if he dies after having pronounced a revocable divorce and her `Iddah for divorce has not expired upon his death. Accordingly she must continue observing her `Iddah and Hidad until delivery. It is unlawful for her to remarry as long as she is still pregnant. It is also unlawful for the person who wants to marry her to make an explicit offer of marriage as long as she is still observing `Iddah for the death of her husband. Her `Iddah and Hidad expire immediately after she delivers a child and it will be permissible for her to be engaged to another person. She has to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and seek Allah's Forgiveness for stopping to observe `Iddah and Hidad after four months of her husband's death. (Part No. 20; Page No. 407) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.