Hijab with In-Laws

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 21 Rabi-u-Thani 1424, 21 June 2003


Q.) Can you please explain to me in the light of Qur'an and Hadith the hijab requirements between the sister-in-laws and the brother-in-laws i.e my husband and his brothers' wives. Jazakaullah Khair.

A.) It is necessary for a male to observe Hijaab from his brother's wife (sister-in-law). Any contact whatsoever with her is prohibited. Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Brother-in-law is death.' (Bukhari) The death being referred to in the Hadith refers is the death of spirituality.

Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are part of the family. They often get together and tend to associate freely with one another. This is quite dangerous and certainly poses a death threat to one's spirituality. One has to be more cautious in adhering to the laws of hijab in such a close family relationship. Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam also prohibited a male from going to a woman in the absence of her husband. You should discuss the issue with your husband with utmost wisdom. Make him conscious of the laws of Allah and the consequences of not following the Shari'ah.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best