SECTION ON DIVORCE · 48 – THE WAITING PERIOD ('IDDA) OF THE UMM AL-WALAD
2308 – It is narrated from ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Do not confuse us regarding the sunnah (sunnah, the normative practice of the Prophet). Ibn al-Muthannā said: Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Do not confuse us regarding his sunnah. The waiting period ('idda) of a woman whose husband has died is four months and ten days. That is, what is meant by a woman whose husband has died is the umm al-walad (umm al-walad, a slave woman who has borne a child to her master). [240]
EXPLANATION
Umm al-walad (umm al-walad, a slave woman who has borne a child to her master): If a slave woman gives birth to a child from her master, she becomes umm al-walad. If her husband dies, she observes a waiting period ('idda) of four months and ten days.