The Concept of Waiting Period in Islam

A study of Islamic sources such as the Quran and traditions of the Holy Prophet (S) as well as the conversations of his companions and their friends show that the rationale and concept of divine laws had always been an important concern. One of the issues which needs to be explained and which has since long preoccupied public mind is the concept of Iddah (waiting period). In this study, however, efforts have been made to elaborate on the nature of Iddah, its different kinds and philosophy, albeit with reliance on exegetical, jurisprudential and hadith sources. In Islam, iddah (period of waiting) is the period a woman must observe after the death of her spouse or after a divorce or when she is exempted of the remaining time, during which she may not marry another man. Islam considers Iddah as a means for reform and return and an appropriate opportunity for rethinking. It was also intended to ensure that the male parent of any offspring produced after the cessation of a marriage contract would be known. However, all the arguments and causes related to the mandatory rules are not the perfect causes; rather they constitute part of the secrets and wisdom of the rules and there are many Islamic laws whose entire rationale and concept remain concealed to humans.