Mufti clarifies what widows can do during eda

DAR ES SALAAM: Mufti and Chief Sheikh of Tanzania Sheikh Dr Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ally has clarified that Islamic law allows a widow to continue performing essential duties requiring her personal attention while observing the eda period.

Eda, derived from the Arabic word ‘iddah’ is the prescribed waiting period a Muslim woman observes following her husband’s death.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, at the Tanzania Muslim Council (BAKWATA) headquarters, Mufti Zubeir said a widow may undertake responsibilities that cannot be performed by another person, provided she observes
the conditions and procedures prescribed by Islamic law during eda.

He cited President Samia Suluhu Hassan as an example, saying she can continue discharging national responsibilities that specifically require her personal attention while observing eda following the death of her husband.

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According to the Mufti, such duties do not conflict with Islamic law where they are essential and cannot be delegated to another person.

He stressed, however, that a widow undertaking such responsibilities must continue observing the requirements governing the eda period.

The clarification addresses the balance between Islamic requirements and
unavoidable personal responsibilities, particularly where a widow holds duties that
require her direct involvement.