What is the prescribed waiting period (iddah) for a woman divorced by annulment of the marriage contract, and has her iddah expired due to the passage of one year and three months since she left the marital home, and when does the iddah begin if she is obligated to observe it?

The waiting period (iddah) for a divorced woman begins from the date the divorce decree is issued. Any time spent outside the marital home before this date is not counted. The waiting period varies according to the woman's situation: three menstrual cycles for those who menstruate, three months for those who have reached menopause or do not menstruate, and delivery for pregnant women, as Allah Almighty says: "And those of your women who have despaired of menstruation - if you have doubts, then their waiting period is three months, and also those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they deliver their burdens. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him ease in his affair." There is no harm in a woman observing her iddah leaving her home for work or for a necessity during the day, provided that the work is permissible and she adheres to the Sharia guidelines regarding dress, does not speak in a soft or alluring manner, nor displays her adornment, nor applies perfume.