A woman in her Hidad going to school

(Part No. 20; Page No. 474) Fatwa no. 1927 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family, and Companions. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' reviewed the request submitted from His Eminence, the Judge of Al-Salil Court, to His Eminence, the President, which was referred to the Committee from the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars with the number (2/881) on 19/4/1398 A.H. The following question was posed:"A person from Al-Salil has come to us to mention that his son-in-law has died and his daughter has to observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood). Since she is a student, is it permissible for her to go to school? He has added that if his daughter goes out to school, she will wear clothes void of perfume and adornment. We hope Your Eminence will issue a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this regard."

The Committee answered as follows: It is obligatory for a widow to observe her `Iddah and Hidad (prescribed mourning period during which a widow does not adorn herself and keeps to the home of her deceased husband) in her deceased husband's home. The period of `Iddah is four months and ten days if the widow is not pregnant. Moreover, a widow observing `Iddah and Hidad is not permitted to spend the night in any place other than her deceased husband's home. She has to avoid any adornment that may attract attention to her, such as perfume, Kohl (antimony powder eyeliner), brightly-colored clothes, and anything that adds to her beauty. On the other hand, it is permissible for her to go out during the daytime in cases of necessities. Accordingly, the woman in question is permitted to go to school because of her dire need to attend classes and understand and study her lessons. She must (Part No. 20; Page No. 475) avoid all that must be avoided by widows during `Iddah, that is, anything that may attract men and urge them to propose to her. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.