English translation
4531. Narrated Mujāhid (regarding the Verse): "And those of you who die and leave wives behind them..." (V.2:234) The widow, according to this Verse, was to spend this period of waiting with her husband's family, so Allāh revealed: "And those of you who die and leave behind wives (i.e., widows) should bequeath for their wives a year's maintenance and residence without turning them out, but if they (wives) leave, there is no sin on you for that which they do with themselves, provided it is honourable (e.g. lawful marriage)..." (V.2:240) So Allāh تعالى entitled the widow to be bequeathed extra maintenance for seven months and twenty nights, and that is the completion of one year. If she wished she could stay (in her husband's home) according to the will, and she could leave it if she wished, as Allāh says: “...Without turning them out, but if they (wives) leave, there is no sin on you...” So the Idda (i.e., four months ten days as it) is obligatory for her. ‘Aṭā said: Ibn ‘Abbās said, “This Verse, i.e., the Statement of Allāh تعالى: “...Without turning them out...” cancelled the obligation of staying for the waiting period in her dead husband’s house, and she can complete this period wherever she likes.” ‘Aṭā’ said, “If she wished, she could complete her Idda by staying in her dead husband’s residence according to the will or leave it according to Allāh’s Statement: “...There is no sin on you for that which they do with themselves...” ‘Aṭā’ added, “Later the regulations of inheritance came and abrogated the order of the dwelling of the widow (in her dead husband’s house), so she could complete the Idda wherever she likes. And it was no longer necessary to provide her with a residence. Ibn ‘Abbās said, “This Verse abrogated her (i.e., widow’s) dwelling in her dead husband’s house and she could complete the Idda (i.e., four months and ten days) wherever she liked, as Allāh’s Statement says: “... Without turning them out...”
