A pregnant woman whose deceased husband has another wife ending her `Iddah by giving birth

Q 1: What is Your Honor's opinion on a man who died leaving behind two wives; one who is still a virgin and the other is pregnant. They observed mourning for a month, after that the pregnant one gave birth to a boy. Some people claim that the mourning period ends when the women gives birth to a male child and it also ends the mourning of the deceased's other wife. Is this correct?

A: The `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after widowhood) of the pregnant ends upon her giving birth. As for the other wife, her `Iddah is four months and ten days starting from the date of her husband's death, and not as some people claim that her `Iddah ends by her co-wife giving birth to a boy. This has no basis in the Shari`ah (Islamic law), rather it is a misconception of the people, (Part No. 20; Page No. 401) and of public superstitions. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions.