Q 1: What is the ruling on a woman whose husband dies, but she refuses to observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after widowhood)? What is the evidence supporting this ruling?

A: The woman whose husband dies must observe `Iddah and Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband). The `Iddah is four months and ten days if she is not pregnant. In case she is pregnant, her `Iddah ends when she delivers the child. The supporting evidence is the following Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) in which Allah 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. 480) And: 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 Moreover, a widow is required to observe Hidad during her `Iddah. Ibn Qudamah said, "There is no disagreement among the scholars regarding the obligation (of Hidad) on a woman whose husband dies, except for Al-Hasan who said that Hidad was not obligatory. However, it is an odd opinion that differs from that of the scholars, so it is not considered." If a woman abstains from observing Hidad, she is sinful and has to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.