What is the iddah of a widow and what is she not allowed to do?

When a husband passes away, his wife must observe iddah for four months and ten days, a period fixed directly in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:234), regardless of whether the marriage was consummated or her age. During this time she cannot remarry or accept any marriage proposal and cannot wear jewelry, perfume, or attractive clothing, and traditionally scholars advise she stays in the home she lived in at the time of her husband's death unless genuine necessity requires otherwise. If she is pregnant, her iddah extends until she delivers the child, even if that takes longer than four months and ten days. This waiting period exists to honor her husband's memory, confirm she is not carrying his child before any new marriage, and give her space to grieve without outside pressure. Allah knows best.