Does the ‘idda of widowhood run from the time of death or from the time the news arrives?

Question

Question: Muhammad ‘Uthman passed away, and his wife learned of it a month later, because Muhammad ‘Uthman used to live away from home. So from when will the ‘idda begin — from the time of death or from the time the news became known?

Answer

The ‘idda of widowhood is four months and ten days, and it begins from the time of death, whenever the news may arrive; so much so that if the wife learns of her husband’s death after four months and ten days have passed, it will be said that the ‘idda has ended.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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