Fatwaa ID: 274

Question:
Assalamualaikum. May a widow during her iddat leave her home to see a dying relative or attend that relatives funeral? The relative is 4 hours away and it will be a trip of several days.

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

In principle, a widow must spend the nights of her ‘iddah in her marital home. However, if there is a need, then she will be excused to spend it elsewhere. She must return once the need ends. In the enquired situation, if the relative is a close family member and remaining absent from his/her last moments and/or funeral would result in long lasting emotional pain, then she would be excused to attend. However, she must return immediately thereafter without any unnecessary delay.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

06/11/1444 AH – 01/04/2023 CE | AMG(3)-3386

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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