Sahih al-Bukhari 4326 (Book 65, Hadith 54)
wait (as regards their marriage ) for four months and ten days).” (2.234)
The widow, according to this Verse, was to spend this period of waiting with her husband’s family, so
Allah revealed: “Those of you who die and leave wives (i.e. widows) should bequeath for their wives,
a year’s maintenance and residences without turning them out, but if they leave (their residence), there
is no blame on you for what they do with themselves provided it is honorable.’ (i.e. lawful marriage)
(2.240).
So Allah entitled the widow to be bequeathed extra maintenance for seven months and twenty nights,
and that is the completion of one year. If she wished she could stay (in her husband’s home) according
to the will, and she could leave it if she wished, as Allah says:
“..without turning them out, but if they leave (the residence), there is no blame on you.” So the ‘Idda
(i.e. four months and ten days as it) is obligatory for her.
‘Ata said: Ibn `Abbas said, “This Verse, i.e. the Statement of Allah: “..without turning them out..”
cancelled the obligation of staying for the waiting period in her dead husband’s house, and she can
complete this period wherever she likes.” ‘Ata’s aid: If she wished, she could complete her ‘Idda by
staying in her dead husband’s residence according to the will or leave it according to Allah’s
Statement:–
“There is no blame on you for what they do with themselves.” `Ata’ added: Later the regulations of
inheritance came and abrogated the order of the dwelling of the widow (in her dead husband’s house),
so she could complete the ‘Idda wherever she likes. And it was no longer necessary to provide her
with a residence. Ibn `Abbas said, “This Verse abrogated her (i.e. widow’s) dwelling in her dead
husband’s house and she could complete the ‘Idda (i.e. four months and ten days) wherever she liked,
as Allah’s Statement says:–“…without turning them out…”
Sahih al-Bukhari 4326 (Book 65, Hadith 54)
The above hadith is from the Sahih al-Buhari collection of hadiths. Sahih al-Bukhari is a foundational text of Sunni Islam, forming part of the Kutub al-Sittah, which are the six major hadith collections. These essential works include Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa’i, and Sunan ibn Majah. Compiled by Imam al-Bukhārī in the 9th century, his Sahih is renowned for its meticulous authentication process and is frequently cited as the most authentic hadith collection. Its comprehensive scope is evident in its structure of 97 books containing roughly 7,563 hadiths that guide Muslim life and jurisprudence.
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For more Hadith in Book 65: Prophetic Commentary on the Qur’an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))