A widow observing `Iddah in deceased husband's house and going out only for a need

Q 2: It is said that when a man dies it is not permissible for his wife to look at a photo of him or touch his dead body. The same is said when a wife dies. If a wife insists on looking at a photo of her husband, she is told that she is no longer his wife and can no longer look at him. If someone dies and they have not yet departed for the cemetery, they put a cover over the eyes of the widow and she is sent to her father’s house to spend her ‘Iddah (woman’s prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) there. It is Haram (prohibited) for her to leave the house during her ‘Iddah, and even though her husband’s house is available, she is sent to her father’s house; is this permissible? And is it true that a wife cannot look at the dead body of her husband and likewise for a husband? (Part No. 20; Page No. 443) Is it permissible for a wife in her ‘Iddah to go to her parent’s house or any of her other relatives’ homes on occasions of death or marriage? Does she have to have her eyes covered with a cloth when she goes?

A: It is obligatory on a widow to observe following the death of her husband an ‘Iddah of four months and ten days, if she is not pregnant, whether she is old or young. As 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) She should spend her ‘Iddah in her deceased husband’s house. She should not leave the house to go to another, unless there is a need or a necessity, such as to go to hospital if she becomes ill or she needs to buy necessities from the market, such as bread and the like. This is if she has no one to do that for her. This is according to what was related by Furay`ah bint Malik who said, "My husband went out to look for his runaway slaves and he caught up with them near Al-Qudum and they murdered him. News of his death reached me when I was staying in a house that was far from my family. I went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him what had happened to him. I said: 'I heard the news of my husband’s death when I was in a house far from my family. He left nothing as Nafaqah (obligatory financial support) or any property to be inherited and he did not own a home of his own. It would be easier for me in some ways if I go to my family and siblings.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Go there.' When I went out to the Masjid (mosque) or to the room, he called me or he told someone to call me. He said, 'Stay in your house where you received the news of your husband’s death until the decreed period is completed.'" She said, "So I stayed there for my ‘Iddah for four months and ten days." She also said, "`Uthman sent for me and I told him about this and he followed it (i.e. The ruling)." (Part No. 20; Page No. 444)  (Related by the Five Compilers of Hadith [Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah]. It was ranked as Sahih [authentic] by Al-Tirmidhy) The part concerning Uthman’s sending to ask her was not mentioned by Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah. Scholars have used this Hadith as evidence to support the opinion that a widow has to observe her ‘Iddah in the house where she heard of her late husband’s death. She is not allowed to leave it to go to another house until her ‘Iddah is completed. The widow must also avoid wearing beautiful clothes, gold and silver ornaments and the like, or any type of perfume or Kohl (antimony powder eyeliner). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade a widow in mourning to do these things. However, she may speak or sit with whomever of her Mahrams (unmarriageable relatives) she wishes and she may do anything that she wants or needs to in her home. It is not true that she is not allowed to look at the body of her dead husband or a picture of him. This is based on the report that Asma’ bint ‘Umays washed the body of her late husband, Abu Bakr, when he died. It is also narrated in Athar (narrations from the Companions) that `Aishah used to say, “Had I known earlier what I came to know later, no one would have washed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) except his wives.” (Part No. 20; Page No. 445)  (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.