A Muslim Woman's Complex Marital Question

In Islam, a man is forbidden from marrying his mother-in-law, and a woman is forbidden from marrying her father-in-law. This is derived from the Quranic verse, And marry not women whom your fathers married, except what has already passed. [An-Nisa’ 4:22]. The relationship between a woman and her ex-husband's father is considered a Mahram relationship, meaning they are permanently forbidden from marrying each other. However, in the case where a man enters into a marriage contract with a mother without consummation, and the mother either passes away or is divorced, then the man is permitted to marry her daughter.

Marrying one's mother-in-law is forbidden in Islam

In Islam, it is forbidden for a man to marry his mother-in-law, irrespective of whether he has engaged in sexual intercourse with her daughter or not. This ruling is based on the interpretation of the Quranic verse, "and your mothers-in-law" (An-Nisaa’: 23), which is considered general and inclusive of all mothers-in-law, regardless of whether the marriage with the daughter was consummated or not. This interpretation is supported by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who states that it is not permissible to marry one's mother-in-law under any circumstances.

The concept of "Mahram by marriage" further reinforces this prohibition. According to Islamic law, when a man enters into a marriage contract with a woman, specific relationships are formed that are considered sacred and permanent. The husband's father becomes a Mahram for his son's wife, and the wife's mother becomes a Mahram for her daughter's husband. This relationship is established the moment the marriage contract is concluded and is not dependent on consummation. Therefore, even if a man divorces his wife, her mother remains permanently forbidden for him to marry.

The Quranic verse, "And marry not women whom your fathers married, except what has already passed" (An-Nisa’ 4:22), further emphasizes the prohibition of marrying one's mother-in-law. This verse indicates that it is haram (forbidden) for a man to marry the wife of his son or grandson, no matter how distant the relationship may be. The wife becomes a Mahram (a forbidden relationship) for her husband's father and grandfather as soon as the marriage contract is made.

Additionally, the concept of "stepdaughters under your protection" is relevant to this discussion. According to the Quranic verse, "and your stepdaughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is no sin for you (to marry their daughters)" (An-Nisa’ 4:23), a man can marry his stepdaughter if he has not consummated the marriage with her mother. However, if he has entered into a marriage contract with the mother, the daughter also becomes a Mahram for him, and he cannot marry her.

In conclusion, the prohibition of marrying one's mother-in-law is a well-established ruling in Islam, supported by Quranic verses and interpretations by Islamic scholars. It is considered a permanent prohibition, regardless of the circumstances, and is one of the relationships that falls under the category of Mahram by marriage.

A man cannot marry his ex-wife's mother

In Islam, a man cannot marry his ex-wife's mother. This is a well-known and established ruling in the religion. According to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, it is not permissible for a man to marry his mother-in-law, irrespective of whether he has engaged in sexual intercourse with her daughter or not, and whether or not the daughter is divorced before consummation.

The husband's father is considered a woman's Mahram, even if her husband divorces her. This is based on the Quranic verse, "the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins" [Al-Nisa’ 4:23]. The father-in-law becomes a Mahram as soon as the marriage contract is completed, and this ruling applies even if the marriage with the daughter is not consummated.

The relationship between a woman and her ex-husband's father remains a Mahram relationship, even after divorce. This is a permanent Mahram relationship, as defined by Allah in the Quran.

In the case where a man enters into a marriage contract with a mother (a woman with a grown-up daughter) without consummation, if the woman dies or is divorced before consummation, the man can marry her daughter. This ruling is referred to in the Quranic verse, "and your stepdaughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is no sin for you (to marry their daughters)" [An-Nisa’ 4:23].

Therefore, while it is prohibited for a man to marry his ex-wife's mother, there may be certain circumstances where a man can marry his ex-wife's daughter, depending on whether the marriage with the ex-wife was consummated.

A wife can shake hands with her father-in-law

In Islam, a wife can sit with her father-in-law if she is wearing a complete Shar'i Hijab, which means covering her face, hair, and entire body. However, shaking hands with him is prohibited, as he is considered a non-Mahram man. In Islam, a non-Mahram man is any man who is not her husband, father, son, grandfather, or grandson.

The Prophet Muhammad, who is regarded as the infallible leader of the sons of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, did not touch women. This is demonstrated by the fact that he would accept a woman's oath of allegiance by saying, "Go, for you have sworn your allegiance," rather than through a handshake.

According to the scholars of Arabic language, the term "in-law" (Al-Hamu) refers to the relatives of a woman's husband, such as his father, paternal uncle, brother, brother's son (nephew), and cousin. The Prophet warned against the dangers of interacting with these in-laws, stating, "The in-law is death." This means that there is a greater risk of temptation and evil when a woman is alone with her in-laws, as they can easily access and be alone with her without anyone denouncing it.

While a wife can be alone with her father-in-law, it is important to note that shaking hands is a form of touch and is, therefore, prohibited in Islam. This interpretation is based on the Prophet's avoidance of touching women and the general ruling that shaking hands with non-Mahram men is forbidden.

In the context of marriage in Islam, it is important to note that a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim man. Additionally, marrying a mother-in-law is permanently prohibited for a man if he has entered into a marriage contract with her daughter, regardless of whether intimate relations occurred.

A woman's husband's father is a Mahram for her

In Islam, a woman's husband's father is a Mahram for her. This means that as soon as a man conducts a marriage contract with a woman, his father becomes a Mahram for her. This is not subject to the condition that the marriage be consummated. The wife is allowed to shake hands with her father-in-law and be alone with him and travel with him.

However, the same does not apply to the wife's father. A man cannot marry his wife's father, i.e., his mother-in-law, as this is permanently prohibited in Islam. This ruling is irrespective of whether the man has engaged in sexual intercourse with his wife or not, and whether the wife is divorced before consummation or not.

It is important to note that the concept of Mahram is based on the idea of forbidden relationships in Islam. A Mahram is a person with whom marriage is permanently forbidden. This includes blood relatives, such as parents, children, and siblings, as well as those who become related through marriage, such as a husband's father in this case.

The evidence for the husband's father being a Mahram for his son's wife is found in the verse of the Quran where Allah mentions the women who are Mahrams:

> "The wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins." [An-Nisa’ 4:23]

This verse indicates that the wife of the son is a Mahram for her husband's father, and therefore, certain interactions and behaviours are permitted that would otherwise be prohibited between non-Mahram individuals.

A man cannot marry his wife's mother

In Islam, a man cannot marry his wife's mother. This is a well-known and established ruling in the religion. According to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, it is not permissible for a man to marry his mother-in-law, irrespective of whether he has engaged in sexual intercourse with her daughter or not, and whether or not the daughter is divorced before consummation.

The wife's mother becomes a Mahram for her daughter's husband as soon as the marriage contract is conducted, and this is not subject to the condition that the marriage be consummated. The Quran states that the husband's father, his son, and the wife's mother become Mahrams as soon as the marriage contract is conducted. The Quranic verse that mentions the wives of one's sons who "spring from your own loins" means that it becomes haram for a man to marry the wife of his son or grandson as soon as the marriage contract is done.

The Mahram relationship between a woman and her ex-husband's father remains intact even after divorce. The Quran defines this category of Mahrams as permanent, regardless of whether the marriage continues or not.

In the case where a man enters into a marriage contract with a mother (a woman who has a grown-up daughter) without consummation, if the woman dies or is divorced before consummation, the man can marry her daughter. This ruling is referred to in the Quranic verse, "and your stepdaughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is no sin for you (to marry their daughters)".

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