Should a wife observe `Iddah and Hidad if a husband dies while being absent?

396

Q 3: If a man dies while his wife is absent for a year or two on a journey or in prison, for example, does she have to observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) when she is informed of his death?

(Part No. 20; Page No. 413) A: If a man dies and his wife is absent from him, her `Iddah starts from the date of his death. However, if she does not know about his death until after the expiry of the period prescribed for `Iddah, she does not have to observe another period of `Iddah or Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.