Ruling on mourning

Q 14: What is the wisdom of mourning? Is it Sunnah (a commendable act), Wajib (obligatory, extrapolated from the meaning of a text) or Fard (obligatory, based on a definitive text) for a woman to mourn her dead husband?

A: The woman whose husband dies must observe `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after widowhood), for Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) stated: “It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to observe mourning (avoidance of perfume and adornment) for a dead person for more than three (days), except over a husband, (in which case the period is) four months and ten (days).” A Muslim has to obey Allah and His Messenger with regard to any command or prohibition, whether he understands its wisdom or not. Allah knows what keeps His servants upright and what is befitting, so whatever He legislates achieves this end. The wisdom behind mourning is to console the relatives of the deceased, respect their feelings and (Part No. 20; Page No. 398) to completely observe the right of the deceased. Allah knows best. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions.