The tradition of observing `Iddah for a year if the husband is a blood relative

(Part No. 20; Page No. 436) A: the `Iddah prescribed for a non-pregnant widow is four months and ten days. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (the wives) shall wait (as regards their marriage) for four months and ten (days) If the widow is pregnant, her `Iddah ends when she delivers the baby, regardless of whether the delivery takes place some time after or before this prescribed period. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their ‘Iddah (prescribed period) is until they lay down their burden During `Iddah, the widow has to abstain from adorning herself with any kind of perfume or brightly-colored clothes. She is not allowed to leave her house for the purpose of visiting her next-door neighbors. It is not permissible to extend the duration of `Iddah for more than four months and ten days on account of the husband being one of the wife's relatives. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for any dead person for more than three (days), except for a husband, (in which case the period of Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband) is) four months and ten (days). (Part No. 20; Page No. 437) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.