The ‘Iddah of Divorced Women

وَالمُطَلَّقـٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلـٰثَةَ قُروءٍ ۚ وَلا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكتُمنَ ما خَلَقَ اللَّـهُ فى أَرحامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤمِنَّ بِاللَّـهِ وَاليَومِ الـٔاخِرِ ۚ وَبُعولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فى ذٰلِكَ إِن أَرادوا إِصلـٰحًا

“Divorced women should wait (abstain from remarrying) for three menstrual cycles (after being divorced). It is not lawful for them to conceal that which Allah Ta‘ala has created in their wombs if they (really) believe in Allah Ta‘ala and the last day (i.e. they should not keep their pregnancy a secret). If their husbands desire reconciliation, they have the right to take them back (into their marriage) within this period (of ‘iddah).” (Surah Baqarah, v228)

A woman who is not expecting but menstruates will wait till the completion of three menstrual cycles before terminating her ‘iddah. A pregnant woman will wait till she gives birth. She has to be honest as far as her menstrual cycles or pregnancy is concerned. If the husband issued one or two revocable divorces, he has the right to take her back within the ‘iddah period even without her consent.