Is iddah necessary after a divorce?

As-salaamu ’alaykum,

I have a personal question to ask you and I need advice according to the Shari’ah. I recently had my nikah done, no rukhsati, but after the nikkah there were too many disputes so unfortunately we will be ending this marriage. My question is that I have not engaged in any sexual intercourse with him during the period of nikah and we didn’t spend time together in private except for one time when we were alone, we kissed. Must I go through ‘iddat? 

I am sorry I feel very humiliated asking this question, I could not speak to you in person so I thought that email would work because I would like to keep it anonymous.

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

We are sorry to hear about your disputes. May Allah make it easy for you.

In the aforementioned scenario, if you spent any private time with your husband, and there was no obstacle between you and your husband from engaging in intercourse, then ‘iddah will be compulsory on you.

Also, for this same reason it will be compulsory on your husband to pay the mahr in full and to pay for expenses during your ‘iddah.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Samir Wahid

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani