❓ Question: Can a women perform i’tikāf during her ‘iddah (waiting period due to a divorce, or the demise of the husband)?
✍🏻 Answer: The ruling depends on the type of ‘iddah. A woman’s ability to observe i’tikāf during ‘iddah depends on the nature of her ‘iddah.
1: ‘Iddah al-wafāt (due to the death of the husband):
If a woman is observing ‘iddah due to the death of her husband, she is prohibited from leaving her home except in cases of dire necessity. This ruling is based on Allāh’s command in the Qurān: “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…” [Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:234]
Thus, such a woman is not permitted to observe i’tikāf, as i’tikāf requires seclusion in a masjid, whereas she has been commanded to remain within her home during ‘iddah al-wafāt.
2: ‘Iddah aṭ-ṭalāq (‘iddah due to divorce [raj’ī or bā’in]):
‘Iddah of ṭalāq raj’ī (1): During this period, a woman remains in her husband’s house, as she is still considered in the bond of nikāḥ. Consequently, it is not permissible for her to leave for i’tikāf, as she is not allowed to leave her home unnecessarily.
‘Iddah of ṭalāq bā’in (2): Similarly in this scenario, a woman is required to observe ‘iddah within her home. Since i’tikāf is performed outside the home, it remains impermissible in this case as well.
3: Can a woman observe i’tikāf at home?
In normal circumstances, it is mustaḥabb (recommended) for a woman to observe i’tikāf in a masjid. However, if she is unable to do so, some fuqahā’ (jurists) have permitted her to designate a specific room in her home for i’tikāf.
Nevertheless, there is no explicit evidence allowing a woman to observe i’tikāf during her ‘iddah, as the primary focus of ‘iddah is for her to remain in a state of tranquility within her home while fulfilling its prescribed rulings.
Summary: Regardless of whether a woman’s ‘iddah is due to ṭalāq or her husband’s death, it is impermissible for her to observe i’tikāf during this period. This is because she has been commanded to remain in her home, whereas i’tikāf necessitates seclusion in a masjid. And Allāh knows best.
📚 Source: A fatwā composed by Qāḍī Unībur-Raḥmān (a graduate from Jamia Salafia, Faisalabad), and then checked and approved by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Anwar (previously a teacher at Jamia Salafia, Faisalabad)
Translated by Dr. Syed Muḥammad ‘Ukāshah (Pakistan)
(1) Ṭalāq raj’ī (revocable divorce): According to the Qurān, after the first and second divorce, the husband has the right to reconcile during the ‘iddah. (Sūrah al-Baqarah: 229). A verbal or practical indication of reconciliation is sufficient; a new nikāḥ is not required.
(2) Ṭalāq bā’in (irrevocable divorce): If the ‘iddah is completed and the husband has not reconciled, the nikāḥ is terminated. However, the relationship can be reestablished through a new nikāḥ.
The details of reestablishing the relationship are as follows: If the husband has given three divorces (in three different sittings, as per the shar’ī manner), the wife becomes forbidden for him until she marries another man and obtains a divorce from him. [this is known as ḥalālah shar‘īyah and ṭalāq mughallaẓah].