Iddah Explained

Iddah is a waiting period a woman observes after divorce (or the death of a husband) before she can remarry. The Qur'an addresses its length directly, generally around three menstrual cycles for divorce (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:228), with different provisions for women who no longer menstruate or who are pregnant (Surah At-Talaq, 65:4). A widow's iddah is different again, four months and ten days (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:234).

Why iddah exists

Iddah serves a few clear purposes: establishing whether the woman is pregnant so paternity is never in doubt, giving space for a revocable divorce to potentially be reconciled, and marking a respectful transition rather than an immediate remarriage. It's a structured pause built into the process, not an arbitrary restriction.

What generally happens during iddah

A woman in iddah generally continues living in a way that reflects the seriousness of the transition, and specific details, including living arrangements and financial support during this period, can depend on the circumstances of the divorce. Confirm these specifics with a local imam rather than assuming them from general principle.

Where this connects

Iddah is closely tied to whether a talaq is revocable, which is one of the areas of genuine scholarly difference covered in talaq and khula explained.