Zainab said: "So I entered upon Zainab bint Jahsh when her brother died. She called for some perfume and put it on, then said: 'By Allah! I have no need for perfume except that I heard the Messenger of Allah said: "It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for the dead more than three nights, except for her husband (in which case it is) four months and ten days."
Hadith Context and Transmission
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 1196) through Zainab bint Abi Salamah relates the practice of Zainab bint Jahsh, wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), following her brother's death. The chain of narration is authentic and demonstrates practical application of Prophetic guidance.
Legal Ruling on Mourning Period
The hadith establishes the Islamic ruling ('iddah) for mourning: three days for relatives other than one's husband, and four months and ten days for a widow. This limitation prevents excessive grief that contradicts Islamic monotheism (tawhid) and demonstrates submission to divine decree.
Zainab bint Jahsh's immediate application of perfume after three days exemplifies compliance with this ruling, showing that outward signs of mourning must cease after the prescribed period.
Theological Significance
The phrase "woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day" connects proper mourning observance with complete faith. Excessive mourning implies dissatisfaction with Allah's decree and weakness in trusting divine wisdom.
The different periods for husband versus other relatives reflect the unique marital bond in Islam, where the widow's mourning serves as both emotional processing and establishing paternity certainty should pregnancy exist.
Practical Application
During mourning, women traditionally avoid adornment, perfume, and fine clothing. Zainab's deliberate use of perfume after three days publicly demonstrates the end of mourning restrictions for non-spousal relationships.
Scholars emphasize that inward grief may continue, but outward manifestations must align with Prophetic guidance to maintain proper Islamic practice and community standards.