❀ Ruling on a Woman Kissing a Non-Mahram Relative ❀
Source:
This article is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
A woman kisses her brother-in-law when greeting him upon his return from travel but does not shake hands.
Is this act permissible or impermissible?
Please note: her husband is her paternal cousin, whereas the other man is only her brother-in-law and not a cousin.
❖ Answer:
It is not permissible for a woman to kiss a non-maḥram man, such as a brother-in-law or paternal cousin.
These individuals are considered non-maḥram (ajnabī) to her in Islamic law.
Likewise, she is not permitted to reveal her adornment (zīnah) in front of them.
✔ She may greet them with words (saying Salām),
✔ But without physical contact,
✔ And in a modest, veiled manner,
✔ While avoiding seclusion (khalwah).
People must be discouraged from such practices, as this is a pre-Islamic (jāhilī) custom that Islam has prohibited and nullified.
(By: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله)
