Is There An ‘Idda For A Lady Who Had Been Separated Before Divorce?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

What’s the ruling for a divorced woman who’s been living separately from her husband for 10 months before getting divorced. What is the iddah period to be observed if there is any?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, there is an ‘idda in this scenario. It is three menstrual cycles if she has them, or three months if she does not experience menstrual cycles. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

Use the time to reconnect with Allah, to ask Him for something better in the future, and to heal from the experience. Investing emotions into a marriage can lead to pain when it ends, even when it is expected. This time can help one work through that.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
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.