Is there an ‘idda for a courtesan?

Question

Question: Zayd loves a courtesan who lives by singing and fornication, and has been entangled with her for a year. Despite people’s utmost efforts he does not break off contact with her, and says that he will marry her. So how many days after bringing this courtesan out of that wrong place can he contract nikah with her? Will she too have to observe ‘idda? And how many days is the ‘idda?

Answer

A courtesan will most likely not have a husband; in such a case no ‘idda is needed for nikah with her. However, if she is pregnant and the pregnancy is from someone else, the said man is not permitted, after the nikah, to have intercourse with her and the like until the child is born; if the pregnancy is his own, it is permitted.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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