Travelling to Umrah During Iddah

Question

During the state of iddah, can a woman travel abroad? It’s the only and final Talaaq that was given as a mutual decision by elders. So can a woman perform Umrah in the state of iddah.

Answer

The ‘iddah is obligatory due to the direct command of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) commands it in several verses of the Holy Qur’an:

“Divorced women must wait for three monthly periods before remarrying…” (Al-Baqarah 2:228)

And in another place,

“If you are in doubt, the period of waiting will be three months for those women who have ceased menstruating and for those who have not [yet] menstruated; the waiting period of those who are pregnant will be until they deliver their burden: God makes things easy for those who are mindful of Him.” (At-Talaq 65:4)

One should accept it as a command of Allah (swt) and yield to it willingly, desiring reward from Him and ease in one’s future life.

It is not permissible to leave one’s marital home during ‘iddah except for basic necessities. ‘Umrah is an optional act of worship which can be done at any other time. Therefore, it does not count as such a necessity and, therefore, is also not permissible. There is no difference between the first and the last talaq in this regard.

You should treat it as a serious obstacle to your intention of ‘Umrah and make arrangements to delay it until after the ‘iddah has been completed.

May Allah grant you ease and and happiness, and give you the tawfeeq to complete your ‘Umrah in the near future.