2581. If a woman whose husband has passed away is not pregnant, she should observe an ‘iddah for four months and ten days. That is, she should avoid marrying another man during that period, regardless of whether her husband had consummated their marriage or not, she is a minor or not, a y¡’isah or not, her marriage is a permanent one or a temporary one.
If however she is pregnant, she should observe her ‘iddah until she gives birth to the child. However, if she gives birth before the passage of four months and ten days, then she must wait until fourth months and ten days have passed after the death of her husband. This ‘iddah is known as the ‘iddah of a widow.
2582. It is prohibited for a free woman who is observing the ‘iddah of a widow to adorn her body or her clothes, such as applying kohl, using fragrances, and wearing colorful clothes. This precept is lifted from a minor and an insane person. It has also not been substantiated that their guardian must prohibit them from adorning themselves. As for a lady who has been contracted in a temporary marriage for a period of two days or less, she is not prohibited from adorning herself.
2583. If a woman attains certainty that her husband has passed away, and after the culmination of the ‘iddah of a widow, she marries again only to find out later on that her husband died later (than she thought), she must separate from the second husband. In the event that she is pregnant, then obligatory precaution dictates that she should observe the ‘iddah for the second husband until she gives birth to the child, which is the ‘iddah for a divorce. However, if she is not pregnant, she should observe the ‘iddah of a widow for her first husband, and for the second husband, she should observe the ‘iddah of one who had intercourse under doubtful circumstances, which is the same as the ‘iddah of a divorce.
2584. The ‘iddah of a widow begins the moment the wife becomes aware of her husband’s death.
2585. If a woman states that her ‘iddah period has come to an end, her word is to be accepted, with the condition that a sufficient amount of time should have elapsed from the time of the divorce or the death of her husband, that it would be possible for her ‘iddah to have culminated.
