A woman in her Hidad moving to a place where she feels safe

Q: My sister married a man who was living in Al-Artawiyyah. He died and she has had no children from him. She has no relatives in Al-Artawiyyah and I am her only relative and live in Abha. Is it permissible for her to spend her period of Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband) in Abha?

A: It is permissible for the woman to move to Abha and spend her period of Hidad there in case she fears living alone and there is no one to protect her. She is also permitted to move to anywhere else where she feels safe to spend the rest of her `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period widowhood). However, if she is safe in her home and wants to move to Abha just to be close to her family, this is not permissible. Rather, she should stay in the house where her husband has died until her `Iddah is over. Only then, she is permitted to travel with any Mahram (an unmarriageable relative) to wherever she wants. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.