Can a Widow Use Her Late Husband’s Belongings?

Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr

Question

During her ‘idda (waiting period), can a widow use her late husband’s belongings, such as food, furniture, and appliances, without the heirs’ permission? Is she required to compensate them afterward?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Thank you for your question.

A widow is entitled to remain in the marital home during her ‘idda. Allah says, “Do not make them leave their homes – nor may they leave – unless they perpetrate a brazen outrage.” [Quran, 65:1]

The furniture and appliances provided by the husband during his lifetime belong to the wife and do not form part of the inheritance. Khatib says,

“Items whose utility persists while their physical form remains intact—such as clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, and personal hygiene items—are owned by the wife according to the more relied-upon view.” [See: Khatib, al-Mughni]

Thus, the widow is using her own furniture and appliances, and there is no obligation to compensate anyone for them.

However, food (nafaqa) and other needs arising after the husband’s death, aside from housing as mentioned above, are not the responsibility of the deceased husband.

I pray this is of benefit and Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali, and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door to students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life.

In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari‘a Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.