Question
If a woman does not spend her Iddat correctly after Talaq, is it still compulsory for the husband to see to her maintenance?
Answer
It is incumbent upon the wife to spend Iddah at the husband’s house. Therefore, if she spends her Iddat at the husband’s house, or somewhere else with the husband’s approval and consent, or there is a Sharie need and valid reason to spend her Iddah elsewhere, in the mentioned instances, she will deserve Nafaqah (maintenance, allowance for necessaries, etc.) However, if she fails to sit and spend her Iddah at the husband’s house without a valid Sharie reason and without the approval of the husband, she will not deserve Nafaqah. In the enquired case, if she does not sit for Iddah and leaves the husband’s house, she will not enjoy the rights of Nafaqah.
Lastly, in Iddat ul Wafaat (where the husband passes away leaving the wife behind), she will not enjoy the rights of Nafaqah.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
Ahsanul Fatawa Vol. 5 Pg. 464
Shaami Vol. 3 Pg. 576