What is the Iddah period for an old lady?

Sources

• ✓ 65:4 · At-Talaaq

  65:4 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ ٱلْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَٰثَةُ أَشْهُرٍۢ وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰتُ ٱلْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ يُسْرًۭا

  And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months, along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, He maketh his course easy for him.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 65:4

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 65:4

  Allah the Exalted explains here the waiting period ('iddah) for women who have ceased menstruation due to old age (the ayisah). Their 'iddah is specified as three months, replacing the three menstrual cycles required for women who do menstruate, as indicated in Surah Al-Baqarah. Likewise, for young girls who have not yet reached the age of menstruation, their 'iddah is similarly three months; this is why the verse adds, "and those who have not menstruated." Regarding the phrase "If you are in doubt," there are two interpretations reported: First, a view among earlier scholars such as Mujahid, Al-Zuhri, and Ibn Zayd, which holds that it refers to cases when blood is seen, and there is uncertainty whether it is menstrual blood or irregular bleeding (istihaadah). The doubt is about the nature of the bleeding itself. Second, an alternative interpretation, reported from Sa'id ibn Jubayr and preferred by Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari, is that the doubt concerns the determination of the 'iddah duration, that is, if you are uncertain about how long the 'iddah should be, then the prescribed period is three months. Ibn Jarir considers this stronger and supports his view with narrations from Abu Kuraib and Abu Saib, who relayed that Ubayy ibn Ka'b asked the Prophet about categories of women not mentioned in the Quran regarding their 'iddah—namely, young girls, elderly women who have stopped menstruating, and pregnant women. In response, Allah revealed this verse specifying the 'iddah for each group. Regarding "and those who have no menstruation," this clause includes young girls and elderly women as stated. As for the phrase "and those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens," the meaning is clear: for any woman who is pregnant at the time of divorce or widowhood, her 'iddah lasts until childbirth. This ruling follows the consensus of many early and later scholars, supported by the text of this verse and prophetic tradition. Ibn Kathir relates the well-known narration of Ubayy ibn Ka'b asking the Prophet about a woman who gave birth forty days after her husband's death—whether she must wait longer before remarrying—and the Prophet affirmed that childbirth ends her 'iddah, permitting her to remarry. This incident is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and other authentic collections, with numerous chains confirming the practice. There is discussion on whether the 'iddah related to the pregnant woman who is also divorced thrice or whose husband died falls under the same ruling. Though a rare and weak narration suggests otherwise, the dominant, authentic view affirms the verse covers both cases, making the 'iddah finish upon delivery. Concerning "Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him of his affair ease," Ibn Kathir explains this means Allah facilitates the believer’s situation, making matters easier, providing imminent relief and an expeditious way out of hardship related to the observance of the 'iddah. Finally, Allah emphasizes that this ruling is His command revealed to the believers through His Messenger. Moreover, those who observe piety and fulfill these obligations with mindfulness will find that Allah expiates their sins and greatly rewards them, elevating small acts of obedience into significant merit.