Chapter on Temporary Marriage (Mutʿah)

Umar ibn Udhaynah narrated from Zurara, who said: I asked Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام about the waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman in a Mut'ah (temporary marriage) if her husband passes away. Imam عليه السلام replied: "It is four months and ten days." Then Imam عليه السلام continued: "O Zurara, for every type of marriage-whether the woman is free or a slave, and regardless of whether the marriage was permanent (Nikah), temporary (Mut'ah), or through ownership (Milk Yamin)-if the husband dies, the waiting period ('Iddah) is four months and ten days." "However, the waiting period ('Iddah) for a divorced woman is three months, and for a divorced female slave, it is half the waiting period of a free woman. Similarly, the waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman in Mut'ah is the same as that for a female slave."