QUESTION:

I am a very sad woman. My husband died after two years of marriage. I can’t live without him. I have two children – a daughter and a son. My son was born after my husband’s death. I am still living with my in-laws. My father-in-law and mother-in-law are very strict. They don’t allow me to meet my parents or friends. Please tell me what should I do? Should I stay here or leave? Am I still related to my husband after his death? Will he recognize me and be with me when I die. Can you give me some good news? Ours was a love marriage, and I could not imagine living without him.

ANSWER:

After the death of your husband, what is really troublesome is that your in-laws hold you like some property. You have every right to live any where you wish, after you have completed your ‘iddah in the house of your deceased husband and to (preferably) get freshly married after that. Please, do not press on living the rest of your life, just alone. That, however, is an advice and puts no bar on your free choice. As far as the in-laws, let them stay informed what God Almighty ordains:

If any of you die and leave widows behind, they (widows) shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days (‘iddah period); when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (the in-laws and the rest) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner.
[al-Baqarah: 234]

And it is really cruel not to permit you to see and consult your parents. Those who fear Allah, will not let such harsh treatment meted to a grief-stricken person.

Of course, you will be honoured with any company that you wished in the Hereafter. The only condition is that you stay heedful to win Allah’s favours to enter the Paradise. There your relation with your beloved husband will be made eternal.