Article 117 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
المادة 117 من نظام الأحوال الشخصية · الفصل الأول: العدة
The waiting period is required on death in a valid marriage contract even before consummation, and in cases other than death if the separation occurs after private seclusion or consummation in a valid contract, subject to Articles 33 and 34.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما تقضي به المادتان (الثالثة والثلاثون) و(الرابعة والثلاثون) من هذا النظام، تجب العدة بالوفاة في عقد الزواج الصحيح ولو قبل الدخول. وتجب إذا وقعت الفرقة في غير حالة الوفاة بالخلوة أو الدخول في عقد الزواج الصحيح.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 117 explained in plain English
This article sets out the cases in which a woman must observe a waiting period (idda), and it distinguishes between separation by death and separation for a reason other than death.
First: separation by death
- The waiting period is required if the husband dies in a valid marriage contract.
- It is required even if the death occurs before consummation.
Second: separation in cases other than death (such as divorce, khul and termination)
- The waiting period is required if the separation occurs after private seclusion or consummation.
- This is on condition that it occurs in a valid marriage contract.
It follows from the text that a separation other than by death that occurs before private seclusion and consummation is not among the cases in which this article requires a waiting period.
The qualification: this rule applies subject to what Articles 33 and 34 of the Law provide. Their text is not set out here, so refer to them to know their effect in these cases.
Relation to neighboring articles: Article 116 defines the waiting period as the fixed period during which a woman may not marry because of a marital separation or the equivalent. Article 118 explains when the length of the waiting period starts to be counted according to the type of separation.
To know whether a waiting period is required in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in personal status matters.
Practical example
Fatima was married under a valid marriage contract, and her husband died before the marriage was consummated. Under Article 117 she must observe a waiting period despite the lack of consummation, because the separation was by death in a valid contract.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 117 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
Must a widow observe a waiting period if her husband died before consummation?
Yes. The waiting period is required on death in a valid marriage contract even before consummation.
When is the waiting period required after divorce or termination?
It is required if the separation occurs, in a case other than death, after private seclusion or consummation in a valid marriage contract.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 33
The article explains that a void marriage produces no effect before consummation, and sets out what follows after consummation: the waiting period, prohibition arising from marriage ties, and the dower of equivalent women, under its conditions.
1- لا يرتب الزواج الباطل أي أثر قبل الدخول. 2- يترتب على الزواج الباطل بعد الدخول، الأحكام الآتية: أ- وجوب العدة. ب- حرمة المصاهرة. ج- استحقاق المرأة مهر المثل
- Article 34
The article provides that the court annuls a defective marriage, sets its effects before and after consummation, and applies its effects to a void marriage after consummation if the spouses did not know its ruling.
1- تفسخ المحكمة عقد الزواج الفاسد، ولا يترتب عليه أي أثر قبل الدخول إلا الطلاق إذا أوقعه الزوج فيقع بائناً بينونةً صغرى. 2- يترتب على الزواج الفاسد بعد الدخول م
More articles on Waiting Period (Iddah)
- Article 26
The article lists seven cases of temporary prohibition of marriage, including marrying a woman in her waiting period, combining more than four wives, and combining two sisters.
يحرم الزواج مؤقتاً، في الحالات الآتية: 1- زواج الرجل من المعتدة من غيره. 2- زواج الرجل من البائن منه بينونة كبرى بطلاقها ثلاثاً مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (الخامسة
- Article 33
The article explains that a void marriage produces no effect before consummation, and sets out what follows after consummation: the waiting period, prohibition arising from marriage ties, and the dower of equivalent women, under its conditions.
1- لا يرتب الزواج الباطل أي أثر قبل الدخول. 2- يترتب على الزواج الباطل بعد الدخول، الأحكام الآتية: أ- وجوب العدة. ب- حرمة المصاهرة. ج- استحقاق المرأة مهر المثل
- Article 53
The article provides that maintenance is owed to a woman in her waiting period after a revocable divorce until the period ends, and not to one in her waiting period after an irrevocable divorce unless she is pregnant, in which case she is entitled until she gives birth.
1- تجب النفقة للمعتدة من طلاق رجعي إلى حين انتهاء عدتها. 2- لا تجب النفقة للمعتدة البائن إلا إذا كانت حاملاً، فلها النفقة حتى تضع حملها.
- Article 54
The article denies maintenance to a woman in her waiting period after the husband's death unless she is pregnant, in which case it is from the money of the unborn child and then from its heir, and affirms her right to reside in the marital home during the waiting period.
1- لا نفقة للمعتدة من الوفاة إلا إذا كانت حاملاً فتجب نفقتها في مال الحمل حتى تضع حملها، فإن لم يكن له مال وجبت النفقة على وارث الحمل. 2- يحق للمعتدة من الوفاة
- Article 94
The wife's statement that her divorce waiting period ended before she was taken back is accepted, provided the period is one in which the waiting period would normally be able to end.
يقبل قول الزوجة في انقضاء عدة الطلاق قبل المراجعة إذا كانت المدة تحتمل انقضاء العدة فيها عادة.
- Article 116
The article defines the waiting period (idda) as the fixed period during which a woman may not marry because of a marital separation or the equivalent.
العدة هي المدة المحددة التي لا يجوز للمرأة خلالها الزواج بسبب وقوع الفرقة الزوجية أو ما في حكمها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.