Is It Permissible to Pray Behind a Non-Mahram Relative Imam?
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, vol. 1, p. 431
❖ The Question
A man asked:
Maulvi Muhammad Isḥāq Bhatti, the khatīb of our village (Chak No. 37, near Pakpattan), is my mother’s paternal cousin (چچازاد بھائی). He does not accept me as his nephew. When I call him “mamūn” (maternal uncle), he becomes upset and says: “Do not call me mamūn, I cannot be your mamūn.”
The questions are:
◄ Is it permissible to pray behind such a person?
◄ Can he remain the imam permanently?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
As you have clarified, Maulvi Isḥāq is your mother’s paternal cousin. This clearly means he is non-maḥram to your mother, and in Sharīʿah, it would be valid for him to marry her. Hence, he cannot be considered your “mamūn.”
If, out of a sense of propriety and modesty, he prevents you from addressing him as mamūn, this is not arrogance. You may respectfully address him as Maulvi Ṣāḥib or by another suitable title.
❖ Who is a Real Mamūn?
Your mamūn (maternal uncle) is only:
➊ Your mother’s real brother.
➋ Or her foster brother (through breastfeeding ties).
Any other cousin or relative does not hold the Sharʿi ruling of mamūn.
❖ Who is a Real Mamūn?
Therefore, Maulvi Isḥāq’s imāmah is Sharʿi valid, and it is fully permissible to pray behind him — provided there is no other Sharʿi impediment.
هٰذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
