Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … That is, there is a particular need to avoid the brother-in-law, because if familiarity develops with him, then due to being part of the same household, or due to being neighbors, or due to frequent visits to a brother’s house, access to one another is already easier. In some families among us, men hold their sisters-in-law in such high esteem and sanctity that they could never even think of committing any indecency with them. Therefore, such people are surprised at this blessed hadith, wondering why, when natural disposition and temperament dictate otherwise, the Shariah has been so strict in this matter. The answer is that the Shariah does not look at the temperament of a few families or a few conscientious individuals; rather, it also considers the potential harm, while in our very own society, there are practically such immoral people present, whose sisters-in-law could not remain safe from their evil gazes, and who, through other individuals, enticed them and brought them to disgrace. (Nastaghfiru Allah wa natubu ilayh) From all these narrations, it is understood that seclusion between non-mahram men and women is prohibited; just as with the gaze, seclusion is also a major cause for the spread of immorality. In our society, most tribulations arise due to this very seclusion. If a woman is to be protected from relations with non-mahram men, then her use of mobile phones and the internet should also be limited, because mobile phones and the internet have provided boys and girls with opportunities for seclusion through conversation, which are the very foundation of evil and corruption. If a girl, apparently, is sitting at home, but through mobile phones and the like, she is in contact with non-mahram boys, then this too is the very thing which the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has declared unlawful in these ahadith.