Q. Are my wife’s sisters my mehram or not? How can I interact with them i.e. Hugs, kisses etc.
(Questions published as received)
A. 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
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians