Firstly, this research investigated the rules pertaining to the counting
the 'iddah ((the waiting period observed by a woman after the death of her
husband or after a divorce)), based on verses from the Glorious Quran.
The term 'iddah was defined linguistically and conceptually, and its types
were enumerated. Its ruling by the Islamic shari'a law was explained. In
addition, fatwas were provided for the 'iddah of a divorced woman before
menopause and after menopause, and the 'iddah of a divorced girl who
hasn't yet menstruated due to childhood.
Secondly, I explained the iddah of a non-pregnant widow, and that of a
pregnant widow. Furthermore, I cited different views by Muslim scholars on
the allowability of having sexual intercourse with a woman on 'iddah due to
a revocable repudiation ((talqah raj'iyah)), and on the non-allowability of
having sexual intercourse with a woman on 'iddah due to a small
irrevocable repudiation ((talaaq ba'yin baynoona sughra)) or a large
irrevocable repudiation ((talaaq ba'yin baynoona sughra)).
Thirdly, I mentioned the obligation of accommodation ((sukna)) and
nafaqah ((financial support)) for the pregnant woma who is divorced
revocably, and the obligation of nafaqah only ((no sukna)) for the pregnant
woman who is divorced irrevocably given that she breastfeeds the born
child. However, these obligations are explained in the light of the general
principle in Islam that 'no soul is given a burden greater than what it can
bear'.