What must a widow do during her ʿiddah, and is mourning (iḥdād) obligatory?

A widow's waiting period is four months and ten days, as Allah states, unless she is pregnant, in which case her term ends when she gives birth. During it iḥdād is obligatory: the Prophet ﷺ said, "It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for a deceased person more than three days, except for her husband — four months and ten days" — so she leaves off adornment, perfume, kohl and jewellery, and wears ordinary clothing without seeking beautification. She stays in the marital home where the news reached her and does not travel or contract a new marriage until the term ends, and a suitor may only hint at his interest, as Allah says, "There is no blame upon you for that to which you [indirectly] allude concerning a proposal to women." She may go out by day for a genuine need such as work, medical care or shopping. There is no obligation upon her to shut herself indoors in isolation, to refuse to speak to people, or to observe the innovated customs some cultures impose — the Sunnah is what has been described.

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