The Ruling on a Woman in Her Waiting Period Going to School

Question :

A person says that his daughter's husband has died, and she is obliged to observe the waiting period, but she is a student in school; is it permissible for her to continue her studies or not? And he adds that she will wear clothes which are not perfumed and are not adorned.

Answer:

It is incumbent upon a wife whose husband has died to observe the waiting period in the house in which she was living when her husband died for four months and ten days. She must not stay elsewhere, and she must avoid whatever makes her look attractive and encourages glances in her direction. This applies to perfume, Kuhl with antimony, attractive clothes, adorning her body and such things which beautify her.

It is permissible for her to go out by day in order to fulfill a need which calls for that. Based upon this, it is permissible for the student in the question to go to school, because she needs to attend the lessons and understand and comprehend matters, as long as she takes care to avoid those things which a woman in the waiting period of mourning the dead is obliged to avoid-things that might tempt men and encourage them to propose to her.

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6 Page 113