How Long Does a Woman Whose Husband Has Died Wait in Iddah?

Some rulings concerning the situation of a woman whose husband has died are made known in the Quran. It is claimed that there is a contradiction in the verses in which the rulings on this subject are made known. In one of these verses a period of one year is spoken of, whereas in the other a period of four months and ten days is spoken of. Although the fact that the periods are different is sought to be shown as a contradiction, when the subjects described in the verses are looked at, it is seen that there is no contradiction. Because the reason for the periods being different stems from different periods having been made known for widowed women on different subjects. The verses on this subject are as follows:

The wives left behind by the men among you who die wait four months and ten (days). When they complete their term, there is no responsibility on you for their doing what is appropriate for themselves. Allah is Aware of what you do. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 234)
The subject made known in verse 240 of Surah Al-Baqarah is the making known that widowed women have the right to stay in their husbands’ home for one year. After the husband has died, the home belonging to the husband may have passed to different persons as inheritance in the division of the estate. In this case the woman has the right to live in this home for one year. In addition, her maintenance must also be provided. In verse 234 of Surah Al-Baqarah, on the other hand, it is commanded that women whose husbands have died wait for a period of four months and ten days and not marry during this period. Therefore it is seen that in the two verses a ruling is made known about two different situations for the woman. When the verses are examined carefully together with their subjects, it is clear that there is no contradiction.