Iddat (Probationary) period is a period which is incumbent upon a women where marriage is terminated by divorce or the death of the husband. Such women are bound to observe it. (Ghayatul Autar)
The probationary period (Iddat) commences soon after the death of the husband or divorce or cancellation of marriage and ends after the fixed period although the woman is unaware of the divorce or death. Because “Iddat” is for the fixed period and knowledge is not a precondition. (Ghayatul Autar)
If the husband of a married woman dies the “Iddat” period is four month and ten days. (Ghayatul Autar)
Therefore Allah says:-
(S2-A234) Those who die, leaving their wives behind they should keep themselves away from
desires for four months and ten days.
A free woman who is divorced after sexual inter-course whether Rajai (Revocable) or distinct divorce or bayan or breaking of marriage, and if she passes menses, then the “Iddat” is for three menses if not three months will be the probationary period. But if divorce is given during menses period then that menses would not be counted for the purpose of three menses. (Ghayatul Autar)
Allah says:-
Divorced women should keep them selves away from the desires till three month or three
menses.
The probationary period of a slave girl is half of a free woman, in divorce and cancellation of marriage if she has menses then two menses, if not for one and a half month, and in the case of death for two months and five days. If dry woman (menopause) is divorced by her husband, she is bound to observe three months as probationary period. If menses begins before three months are over, then she should begin probationary period from the time of the menses. In the same way a wet woman (an woman with menses) shall begin probationary period from menses and after one or two menses if she becomes dry, then from that month only she should begin period of probation. The period of purification or menses that has passed will not be counted.
The period of probation for a pregnant woman will be up to the birth of the child.
Allah says:-
(S65-A4) Those women who are pregnant, thier probationary period (Iddat) is up to the
delivery.
A woman who is under the probationary period (Iddat) should not adorne herself with ornaments. She should not put on saffron coloured clothes, but only dull coloured cotton. She should not apply any perfume nor scented oil or henna or antimony for makeup but it is permissible for medical purpose. (Noorul Hadaya)
The woman who is bound to observe probationary period should pass the entire period in the same house where she was divorced or her husband died.
Allah says:-
(S65-A1) "Do not send them out of the house, they nor leave home until some uncheste
women (Prostitute) is brought there, if she is turned out of the house or there is a fear
of the
house being collapsed or destruction of things inside or she does not have rent for the
house,
under these circumstances she is permitted to leave the house. (Noorul Hadaya)
If a woman is under the probation period (Iddat), due to “Bain divorce”, then she should observe pardah in the same house, if the house is small then it is essential (wajib) that the husband should leave the house, it is also permissible that woman leaves that house. Similarly if the husband is a sinner then the woman may leave the house, but it is desirable that the husband leaves the house. (For the period of Iddat). (Noorul Hadaya)