What Is the Iddah?
The iddah is the waiting period a woman observes after a marriage ends — by divorce or the death of her husband — before she may remarry. Here's how long it lasts in each case, why it exists, and the financial support owed during it, all grounded in the Quran.
Direct answer
What is the iddah and how long does it last?
The iddah is the waiting period a woman observes after divorce or widowhood before remarrying. After divorce it is three menstrual cycles (Quran 2:228), or until birth if she is pregnant (Quran 65:4); after a husband's death it is four months and ten days (Quran 2:234). It confirms there is no pregnancy, allows time for reconciliation, and provides a dignified transition with the maintenance owed to her.
The iddah is the prescribed waiting period a woman observes after divorce or the death of her husband before she may remarry. After divorce: three menstrual cycles (Quran 2:228), until birth if pregnant (Quran 65:4), or three lunar months if she doesn't menstruate (Quran 65:4). After widowhood: four months and ten days (Quran 2:234). It confirms there's no pregnancy, allows reconciliation in a revocable divorce, and provides a dignified, maintained transition.
- Divorce: three menstrual cycles (Quran 2:228)
- Pregnant: until birth (Quran 65:4)
- Widowhood: four months and ten days (Quran 2:234)
- No iddah if the marriage wasn't consummated (Quran 33:49)
- In a revocable divorce, the husband still maintains her
How Long the Iddah Lasts
| Situation | Length | Source |
|---|---|---|
| After divorce (menstruating woman) | Three menstrual cycles | Quran 2:228 |
| After divorce (pregnant woman) | Until she gives birth | Quran 65:4 |
| After divorce (no menstruation) | Three lunar months | Quran 65:4 |
| Widowhood (husband's death) | Four months and ten days | Quran 2:234 |
| Before consummation | No iddah required | Quran 33:49 |
Why the Iddah Exists
The iddah serves three purposes: it confirms whether the woman is pregnant, protecting the lineage of any child; it provides a window for reconciliation in a revocable divorce; and it gives the woman a dignified period of transition with the maintenance owed to her. It balances clarity of lineage, the chance to reunite, and the woman's wellbeing.
Support During the Iddah
In a revocable divorce, the husband remains obligated to house and maintain (nafaqah) the wife throughout her iddah, since the marriage is not yet finally dissolved. Any deferred mahr owed to her also becomes due. Because maintenance during the iddah can be hard to enforce in a U.S. court from religious terms alone, couples often codify it as a fixed obligation inside an Islamic prenup.
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-07-20
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