Is a waiting woman (Iddah) permitted to leave her house during the day for her needs?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Waiting Periods ('Iddah)

Book 44 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The waiting woman, whether divorced or widowed, is permitted to leave her residence during the daylight hours to attend to her needs. Evidence supports this, as narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted the aunt of a man, who was in her Iddah after a triple divorce, to go out and harvest her palm trees, advising her to do so perhaps so she could give charity or perform good deeds. Furthermore, when the wives of the martyrs of Uhud requested permission to stay together at night due to loneliness, the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted them to gather but instructed them to return to their own homes when they intended to sleep, thereby affirming necessary daytime activity.