Abstaining from adornment upon the husband’s death

Question

Question: At the time of the husband’s death women usually take off all their jewellery and break their bangles, and then do not wear them for the rest of their lives, or until a second nikah and the like. What is the reality of this according to the Shari‘a? Also, what was the practice of the wives of the noble Messenger ﵌ for the rest of their lives after his blessed demise?

Answer

Upon the husband’s death, adornment is impermissible during the days of ‘idda; after the ‘idda it is permissible. Therefore abstaining from adornment for the whole of one’s life or until a second nikah is not permissible according to the Shari‘a. The pure wives of the Prophet ﵌ adhered to the Shari‘a and kept away from impermissible acts.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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