Maintenance during Iddah

Question:-

I went for a balloon ablasion in the womb and due to this operation, I don’t get my Haidh every month. I got my last cycle in November, and a year and a half before that. There is no certainty as to when I will get my next Haidh. Please could Mufti Saheb indicate as to how the Iddat should be served. Is my husband liable to maintain or support me financially in this time, however long it may be?

Answer:-

During the Iddat of divorce, it is the duty of the ex-husband to provide accommodation, lights, water, food etc. for the ex-wife and she is required to remain within the confines of the home for the entire duration of the Iddat. The Iddat period is three menstrual cycles which differs from woman to woman.

You are currently forty and still experiencing your menstrual cycle but only after lengthy intervals due to your procedure, as understood from your query. Although your menstrual cycles are delayed, you are still required to serve your complete Iddat of three Haidh for your Iddat to terminate.

During this period, it remains the responsibility of your ex-husband to provide for you as explained above irrespective of the duration. Once the third cycle is over, the Iddat comes to an end and the obligation of taking care of these needs are no longer upon your ex-husband.

واذا طلق الرجل امراته فلها النفقة والسكني في عدتها رجعيا كان او بائنا —-(الهداية ص443 ج2)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 12 Jumadal Ukhra 1444 / 05 January 2022