What is the prescribed waiting period (Iddah/Istibra') for a pregnant woman?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)
Primary text
The waiting period for a pregnant woman, whether she is a free woman, a female slave (amah), a widow, or a divorced woman, is until she delivers her offspring. This is established by the command of Allah Almighty: {And for those who are pregnant, their appointed term is that they deliver their load} (Quran 65:4). Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated: 'A pregnant woman shall not be approached sexually until she gives birth.' The purpose of the waiting period and Istibra' is to ascertain the womb's freedom from pregnancy, which is achieved upon delivery.
Supporting text
If a woman is pregnant with two or more fetuses, her Istibra' is not completed until she delivers the last of her offspring, consistent with the ruling established for women observing the Iddah.