What is the legal ruling concerning a woman in waiting period (*iddah*) who experiences doubt (*riyba*) regarding pregnancy?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)

Book 44 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a woman observing the waiting period experiences signs suggestive of pregnancy, such as movement or bloating, and doubts whether she is pregnant, she must remain in the ruling of *iddah* until the doubt is resolved. If it is confirmed she is pregnant, her *iddah* concludes upon childbirth. If the suspicion proves false and she is not pregnant, it becomes evident that her *iddah* concluded according to the prescribed menses or months. If she remarries before the doubt is resolved, the subsequent marriage is void because she is marrying while ostensibly still in the state of *iddah*.

Supporting text

There is an alternative view suggesting that if the non-pregnancy is established later, the subsequent marriage becomes valid because it is then evident she married after the completion of her waiting period.