The Philosophy of the Waiting Period (ʿIddah) and Its Compatibility with Social Transformations and Contemporary Society
Keywords:
Iddah, divorce, annulment, death, revocable divorce, giving in to doubt, honoring womenAbstract
Under Islamic legal rules and legislation, women are required to observe a waiting period (ʿiddah) following the dissolution of the marital relationship, whether in a permanent or temporary marriage, as well as in cases of intercourse under a mistaken belief of legality. Like other Islamic legal obligations, the requirement to observe ʿiddah is founded upon underlying rationales that emphasize respect for the status of women and men within the institution of the family, recognition of their social position, and consideration of the interests and legal status of their children. Islamic legal rules and ordinances have consistently been established in accordance with the innate and natural needs of human beings. Although the legislative foundations of Islamic rulings are derived from Qur’anic verses, understanding the wisdom underlying these rulings and identifying the rational grounds for compliance with them can strengthen believers’ motivation to observe such obligations and enhance society’s awareness of the rationale behind divine legislation. This study examines the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of ʿiddah, including divorce, annulment of marriage, the husband’s death, expiration or remission of the remaining term in temporary marriage, the husband’s disappearance, and intercourse under a mistaken belief of legality. It further analyzes the underlying rationales of ʿiddah in light of contemporary social conditions and evaluates their compatibility with present-day social transformations.
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