A woman in her `Iddah staying in her marital house

Q: My husband died in a car accident. I then left my husband's house and went to my family's house. After the burial, his family (Part No. 20; Page No. 471) held the condolence ceremony for three days during which I stayed with them all day and spent the night in my family's house. Afterwards, I stayed in my family's house until I gave birth one week after my husband died. I heard that it is impermissible for a widow to go out of her husband's house during the period of `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after widowhood). It is noteworthy that I am unable to live in my husband's house, as it is far away from my family's house and I feel lonely in it. Please, advise. May Allah protect you.

A: A woman whose husband died has to stay in the marital home where she was when he died until her `Iddah expires. It is impermissible for her to leave it and move to another house except in cases of necessity. When she can not live in it for a Shar`y cause hindering her from this, she may move to the house where she feels safe. If the reality is as you have mentioned that you feel lonely in your husband's house and can not live in it alone, there is nothing wrong with moving to your family's house. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.