A widow may go out during her waiting period for a need

10-9-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

My father in law died 43 days ago. My Mother in law is in waiting period. But during this 43 days an aunt of my Mother in law's died( who looks after her in her childhood). Then she broke out mentally very upset and wanted to go there to see her late aunt. She asked me whether she can go out or not. I know that it is not permissible to go out without necessity during waiting period. Considering it necessity as she was mentally very upset and her aunt's sacrifice i told her to go her aunts house with mahram and told her to return home before sunset. And she do the same. was i right to told this? If wrong how can i and my mother in law be corrected? Is it permissible for her to see her grandson in same city in the same day and return to home to reduce the mourn or to be in normal?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

What you told your mother-in-law about it being allowed for her to go out during the day to her maternal aunt's home is correct because it is permissible for a woman in her waiting period to go out during the day for a need. Therefore, it is permissible for her to go to the house of her grandson or any other house if there is a need for that, provided that she abides by the Islamic etiquette.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 105002 and 87144.

Allaah Knows best.