Jamiat KZNJamiatul Ulama KZN

Are my wife’s sisters mahram?

· 19 Shawwal 1433 AH1 min readEnglish
Family Matters

Question

Q. Are my wife’s sisters my mehram or not? How can I interact with them i.e. Hugs, kisses etc.

Answer

Your wife’s sisters are not your Mahrams. Social interaction with them is not permissible.

Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam forbade non-mahrams (unrelated men) to enter upon women. He Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “Beware of entering upon women.” One of the Sahaabah said to him, “O Messenger of Allaah, what about the brother-in-law?” He said: “The brother-in-law is death!” (Reported by al-Bukhari, Fath al-Baari, 9/330).

The expression “the brother-in-law is death” may have a number of meanings, such as the following:

 That being alone with a brother-in-law may lead to religious doom if it results in sin.

 That it may spell disaster for the wife if her husband’s attraction to her sister leads to divorce.

 That being alone with a non-mahram woman is as terrible as death.

And Allah Knows Best

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