Bid`ah related to the deceased

Q 2: If a man dies should his wife undergo a state of mourning by doing the following: First,she wears a black dress and a bandage of white lawn as well as a white belt around her head. (Part No. 9; Page No. 97) Second,she does not take a bath, wash her clothes or comb her hair until one week has passed, and she wears the same clothes for the entire week. When she bathes and washes her clothes, she should bury the water that she used, as we are Bedouins and we do not have bathrooms. This habit has been our custom since the time of our ancestors. We have no idea whether these customs are valid or not. Please your Eminence, could you clarify the legitimate way of mourning. Please advise.

A: First, the way this woman mourns her husband, such as wearing a white bandage, a white belt on her head and a black dress, abstaining from bathing for a week, digging a hole for the water that was used in bathing and washing her clothes, and wearing the same clothes for a whole week, is all groundless and illegitimate. Such practices should not be done. (Part No. 9; Page No. 98) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.