If a husband is absent or comes under the rule (ḥukm) of being absent, the ʿiddah of a widow begins the moment the wife becomes aware of her husband’s death, not from the time of her husband’s death. However, with regard to a girl that has not reached the age of legal responsibility (bulūgh) or is insane, this rule is problematic (maḥall al‑ishkāl),[1] and it is obligatory (wājib) to observe precaution in such a case.