A widow in her `Iddah seeing men

Q 4: When a man dies, what do the four months and ten days mean for his widow? Should she not see men at all during this period, even in the street? What women do in our country is that they do not go out and do not meet anybody except women and her relatives until the end of their `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood). If they see men in the street, they add as many days to the `Iddah as the number of men they have seen. Is this valid?

A: If a widow is pregnant, her `Iddah comes to an end by delivery. If she is not pregnant, her `Iddah is four months and ten days, in which she should stay in the house where she was at the time of her husband's death, and not go out except for an excuse. She should also avoid perfume and makeup during the `Iddah. There is no harm in talking to men and seeing them for a reason; this has nothing to do with her `Iddah. However, she should lower her gaze like any woman. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.