Ruling on Marrying a Forbidden (Maḥram) Woman
By: Imrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
❖ Evidence
al-Barāʾ (RA):
He said:
“I met my uncle carrying a banner and asked: ‘Where are you going?’ He replied:
‘Baʿathanī Rasūlullāh ﷺ ilā rajulin nakaha imraʾata abīhi fa-amaranī an aḍriba ʿunuqahu wa-ākhudha mālahu.’
‘The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ sent me to a man who married his father’s wife, and he commanded me to strike his neck and seize his wealth.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Abū Dāwūd: 3744, 4457; al-Tirmidhī: 1/255; Ibn Mājah: 2607; al-Ṭaḥāwī: 2/85; Ibn Abī Shaybah: 11/87; al-Dāraqutnī: 370; al-Bayhaqī: 8/237; Musnad Aḥmad: 4/292]
Conclusion
- A man who marries a maḥram woman—such as his father’s wife—is subject to the death penalty according to the command of the Prophet ﷺ.
- This ruling highlights the gravity of violating the sacred boundaries of kinship established by Sharīʿah.
