On 7 November 2022, a candidate, Zahida Zarik Khan, was reprimanded by the Perlis mufti for allegedly campaigning within the mourning period for her late husband. In general, a Muslim wife has to observe certain rules such as not leaving the house without necessity, not overly adorning herself and remarrying within the period of four months and 10 days.
There are many contemporary ulamas with the opinion of allowing widows in their iddah period to leave their house to go to work. One of them is Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman al-Kilani, chairman of Rabitah Ulama’ Jordan, who, in his view, states that a widow in her iddah period is allowed to leave the house to work to fulfil her responsibilities.
This is also applied to widows who are currently running for election as it is her responsibility to serve the community, especially when there is no suitable person to represent her. The requirement for women to observe their iddah period in confinement and away from participating in public activities for their own livelihood, and serving their community in today’s realities should be seriously considered and reviewed, as has been done by the article in Bayan Linnas above.
We are now living at a time when women rely on themselves to survive and live their lives daily given the absence of or limited social safety nets and nearby families and communities for support. Thus, the expectation for strict seclusion for women following the death of her husband is unrealistic.
Similarly, if she chooses to take up a role to represent her community and society, then strict seclusion during the election campaign period would underserve her own campaign, and her own potential for being elected is limited or denied.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Women widow candidates should be trusted to act in good faith, just like any other election candidates, to campaign for elections and serve their constituency once elected. The understanding of iddah needs to be modulated according to the expectations and demands of women’s lived realities today and how their participation is essential in politics and decision- making.
Otherwise, Malaysian society and Malaysian women will forever be short-changed from potential leadership that can make significant contributions to society and the nation. – Sisters in Islam
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
