What is the prescribed waiting period ('Iddah) for an Umm Walad upon the death of her master, according to the prominent opinion?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)
Primary text
The primary established opinion, narrated from Ahmad, Ibn 'Umar, and supported by figures like 'Uthman, 'A'ishah, Malik, and Shafi'i, is that the Iddah for an Umm Walad upon her master's death is four months and ten days. This is because she is considered free for the purpose of Iddah concerning death, mirroring the ruling for a free wife.
Supporting text
A secondary opinion, narrated from Ahmad, suggests the Iddah is four months and ten days, supported by figures like Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab and Al-Zuhri, based on the narration from 'Amr ibn al-'As regarding the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) concerning the Umm Walad's Iddah upon her master's death. A third, less authenticated opinion attributes two months and five days to Ahmad, citing 'Ata' and Qatadah, arguing that since she was a slave at the moment of death, her Iddah should be that of a slave woman.