❖ Ruling on a Woman Being Unveiled Before Husband’s Close Relatives ❖
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
According to Islamic law, can a man’s wife remain unveiled before her husband’s brothers or his paternal cousins? And can a grown-up son sleep in the same bed with his mother or sister?
A husband’s brother or paternal cousin is not considered a mahram to his wife merely due to this relationship. Therefore, the wife is not allowed to uncover the parts of her body in front of them which she can uncover before her mahrams, even if those relatives are righteous and trustworthy. They are still non-mahram.
Allah ﷻ has defined those in front of whom a woman may reveal her adornment in the following verse:
﴿وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا...﴾ [24:31]
"And they should not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, those whom their right hands possess, male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are unaware of the private aspects of women."
A husband’s brother or paternal cousin is not mentioned among these categories. In order to protect honor and prevent corruption, Islam makes no distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous in this matter.
It is authentically reported in a Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ was asked about a woman being in seclusion with her husband’s brother, and he ﷺ replied:
"الحمو الموت"
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi in Kitāb al-Raḍā‘, and Ahmad 4/49]
“The brother-in-law is death.”
Here, ḥamw refers to the husband’s brothers (i.e., brother-in-law) who are not mahram to the wife. Therefore, a Muslim should remain cautious in matters related to protecting religion, honor, and chastity.
Once children reach puberty or are ten years of age or older, it is not permissible for them to sleep with their mother or sister. This is to preserve modesty, prevent temptation, and block all paths to corruption.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مروا أولادكم بالصلاة لسبع، واضربوهم عليها لعشر، وفرقوا بينهم فى المضاجع"
[Narrated by Abu Dawood in Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Chapter 25]
“Command your children to pray at the age of seven, and discipline them for it at ten, and separate their beds.”
Even minor children are commanded by Allah to seek permission to enter during three specific times when one may be undressed. These times are named ‘awrah (times of privacy) in the Qur’an:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا...﴾ [24:58]
“O you who believe! Let those whom your right hands possess and those among you who have not reached puberty ask permission at three times: before Fajr prayer, while you put off your clothes for the midday rest, and after the ‘Isha’ prayer. These are three times of privacy for you...”
As for adult males, they must always seek permission before entering their family members’ private spaces:
﴿وَإِذَا بَلَغَ الْأَطْفَالُ مِنكُمُ الْحُلُمَ...﴾ [24:59]
“And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission as those before them have asked permission. Thus does Allah make clear His verses for you. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
As for children under the age of ten, they may sleep with their mother or sister because:
If there is no fear of fitnah (temptation or corruption), then all mature individuals may sleep in separate beds even within the same room.
وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
This writing is excerpted 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:
According to Islamic law, can a man’s wife remain unveiled before her husband’s brothers or his paternal cousins? And can a grown-up son sleep in the same bed with his mother or sister?
❖ Answer:
① Regarding a Wife Being Unveiled Before Husband’s Close Relatives:
A husband’s brother or paternal cousin is not considered a mahram to his wife merely due to this relationship. Therefore, the wife is not allowed to uncover the parts of her body in front of them which she can uncover before her mahrams, even if those relatives are righteous and trustworthy. They are still non-mahram.
Allah ﷻ has defined those in front of whom a woman may reveal her adornment in the following verse:
﴿وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا...﴾ [24:31]
"And they should not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, those whom their right hands possess, male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are unaware of the private aspects of women."
A husband’s brother or paternal cousin is not mentioned among these categories. In order to protect honor and prevent corruption, Islam makes no distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous in this matter.
It is authentically reported in a Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ was asked about a woman being in seclusion with her husband’s brother, and he ﷺ replied:
"الحمو الموت"
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi in Kitāb al-Raḍā‘, and Ahmad 4/49]
“The brother-in-law is death.”
Here, ḥamw refers to the husband’s brothers (i.e., brother-in-law) who are not mahram to the wife. Therefore, a Muslim should remain cautious in matters related to protecting religion, honor, and chastity.
② Regarding Grown-Up Boys Sleeping with Mother or Sister:
Once children reach puberty or are ten years of age or older, it is not permissible for them to sleep with their mother or sister. This is to preserve modesty, prevent temptation, and block all paths to corruption.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مروا أولادكم بالصلاة لسبع، واضربوهم عليها لعشر، وفرقوا بينهم فى المضاجع"
[Narrated by Abu Dawood in Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Chapter 25]
“Command your children to pray at the age of seven, and discipline them for it at ten, and separate their beds.”
Even minor children are commanded by Allah to seek permission to enter during three specific times when one may be undressed. These times are named ‘awrah (times of privacy) in the Qur’an:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا...﴾ [24:58]
“O you who believe! Let those whom your right hands possess and those among you who have not reached puberty ask permission at three times: before Fajr prayer, while you put off your clothes for the midday rest, and after the ‘Isha’ prayer. These are three times of privacy for you...”
As for adult males, they must always seek permission before entering their family members’ private spaces:
﴿وَإِذَا بَلَغَ الْأَطْفَالُ مِنكُمُ الْحُلُمَ...﴾ [24:59]
“And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission as those before them have asked permission. Thus does Allah make clear His verses for you. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
As for children under the age of ten, they may sleep with their mother or sister because:
- They still require supervision,
- And there is no danger of temptation.
If there is no fear of fitnah (temptation or corruption), then all mature individuals may sleep in separate beds even within the same room.
وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
