What is the required waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman seeking Khul' (redemption)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)
Primary text
The established ruling among the majority of scholars, including Sa'id bin al-Musayyab, Salim bin Abdullah, Urwah, Sulayman bin Yasar, Umar bin Abd al-Aziz, Al-Hasan, Ash-Sha'bi, An-Nakha'i, Az-Zuhri, Qatadah, Malik, Al-Layth, Al-Awza'i, and Ash-Shafi'i, is that the waiting period for a woman in Khul' is the same as that of a divorced woman (three menstrual cycles). This is supported by the general principle of the waiting period for divorce (Quran 2:228) as the separation occurs during the husband's lifetime. Furthermore, the narration attributing the ruling of one cycle to Ibn Umar is contradicted by a more authentic narration from him via Nafi', stating that the waiting period for the woman in Khul' is the waiting period of a divorced woman.
Supporting text
A dissenting opinion, supported by narrations attributed to Uthman, Ibn Umar, and Ibn Abbas, states that the waiting period for a woman in Khul' is one menstrual cycle. This is based on the narration concerning the wife of Thabit bin Qais, where the Prophet prescribed one period, and a similar ruling from Uthman. However, this view is countered by the ruling of Umar and Ali, who mandated three periods.