Does Calling One’s Wife “Baji” Constitute Ẓihār? – Complete Explanation
Source: Ahkam wa Masail, Masail-e-Talaq, Vol. 1, p. 337
❀ The Question
A man calls his wife and his sister-in-law “Baji” (elder sister), and says:
"I will throw one Baji here and the other Baji there."
Do these words cause Ẓihār to take effect? Please clarify.
❀ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
To understand this issue, the following principle must be kept in mind:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى»
“Every person will have only what he intended.”
(صحيح البخاري، كتاب الإيمان، حديث 1)
❀ Application of This Principle
✿ If the man uttered these words with the intention of Ẓihār—that is, to liken his wife to his mother or any part of her—then this will be considered Ẓihār.
✿ If there was no such intention—rather it was said jokingly, casually, or as a conversational style—then Ẓihār does not occur.
Thus, the ruling depends entirely on the intention.
❀ Conclusion
① Ẓihār only applies if there is an explicit intention of making such a comparison.
② If the words were spoken without that intention, then no Ẓihār has occurred.
③ Issuing a fatwa or applying the ruling requires knowledge of the person’s intention.
هٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
(And Allah knows best what is correct.)
