`Iddah for a woman who reached menopause eighteen years ago

Q 1: His father died yesterday in a road accident. (The questioner did not mention the date of death, but his letter was sent to the Committee on 16/12/1392 A.H.) His father gave his mother revocable divorce properly on 15/10/1392 A.H. She reached her menopause eighteen years ago. He asks whether she must observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) of a widow or not.

A: If the reality is as the questioner has mentioned, that his father divorced his mother properly on 15/10/1392 A.H. and that the divorce was revocable, her `Iddah lasts for three months as she has reached menopause and the divorce was not initiated by her for consideration. As his father who was hit by a car died before three months elapsed since the date of divorce, she must discontinue the `Iddah of divorce and resume the `Iddah of a widow. The woman who is given revocable divorce assumes the rulings of a wife until the `Iddah expires. (Part No. 20; Page No. 408) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.