Can a Wife Receive Maintenance after Her ‘Idda Period in Hanafi Fiqh?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Can a wife receive maintenance after her ‘idda period in Hanafi Fiqh? What is the proof of this from the Quran and Hadith? Can aya 241 of Surat al-Baqara be used to prove this?

Answer

I pray you are well.

No, once the ‘idda period is over, the lady is not entitled to any financial maintenance from her ex-husband.

During the ‘idda, certain aspects of the marriage remain present-such as the rulings related to the lineage of a potential child she may be carrying. Financial maintenance is one of these rulings. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

The verse in question merely emphasizes the maintenance that is due for the ladies during their ‘idda periods. [Abu al-Su‘ud, Irshad al-‘Aql al-Salim]

I hope that helps. May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.