Does delivery of a fetus with discernible human form terminate the waiting period?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)

Book 44 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The waiting period concludes if a woman delivers something in which the human form is apparent, such as the head, hand, or foot. There is no dispute among scholars on this matter. Ibn al-Mundhir reported the consensus of known scholars, including Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, Shurayh, Al-Sha'bi, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Zuhri, Al-Thawri, Malik, Al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, and Ishaq. This ruling is supported by the general mandate of the verse concerning women with child: Quran 65:4. If any part of human creation is evident, it is known to be a fetus, thereby fulfilling the condition for the end of the waiting period.