
Islam forbids a man from marrying his wife's sister, i.e., his sister-in-law, while he is still married to the wife. This is because Islam does not allow taking two sisters as co-wives at the same time, as the feeling of love and sisterliness between the two sisters would be destroyed if one sister became the co-wife of the same husband. However, if a man's wife passes away or he divorces her, it is permissible for him to marry her sister.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a man marry his sister-in-law? | It is forbidden in Islam to marry two sisters at the same time. |
| What if the first wife has passed away? | It is permissible to marry the sister-in-law after the first wife's death or if divorced. |
| What if the man is in love with his sister-in-law? | It is advised to cut all contact with the sister-in-law and seek professional help. |
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What You'll Learn
- Islam forbids marrying two sisters at the same time
- The Quran says: Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time
- A man may not be married to a woman and her aunt at the same time
- You can marry your sister-in-law if you separate from your wife
- Seek help from Allah and increase your knowledge of Islam

Islam forbids marrying two sisters at the same time
Islam forbids a man from marrying two sisters simultaneously. The Quran states:
> "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: ... two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed" (4:23)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) added:
> "A man may not be married to a woman and her paternal aunt (at the same time), nor to a woman and her maternal aunt. If you do this, you will sever your ties of kinship." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The reasoning behind this prohibition is to preserve the bond of kinship and the feelings of love and sisterliness between sisters. The potential jealousy and enmity that could arise from such a marriage would disrupt the family system, which goes against the teachings of Allah Most High.
In the case of a man wishing to marry his sister-in-law, it is important to note that if his current wife is the sister-in-law's sister, then it is forbidden in Islam to marry the sister-in-law while still married to the wife. However, if the man's wife has passed away, there do not appear to be explicit prohibitions against marrying her sister.
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The Quran says: Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time
Islam forbids marrying two sisters simultaneously, whether they are related by blood or suckling. This prohibition is derived from Quranic verse 4:23, which states: "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed." The wisdom behind this rule is to preserve the bond of love and sisterhood that Islam values highly.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) further emphasised this prohibition, as recorded in the hadith collections of Al-Bukhari and Muslim: "A man may not be married to a woman and her paternal aunt (at the same time), nor to a woman and her maternal aunt." He also stated, "If you do this, you will sever your ties of kinship" (Ibn Hibban). Thus, Islam prohibits marrying two sisters simultaneously to maintain the integrity of family relationships.
It is important to note that the prohibition on marrying two sisters simultaneously is distinct from other restrictions on marriage in Islam. For example, a man is also forbidden from marrying his wife's mother or daughter, as mentioned in the same Quranic verse. Additionally, Islam prohibits marrying certain relatives, such as mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts, as outlined in various Quranic verses and hadith traditions.
While Islam prohibits marrying two sisters simultaneously, it is important to clarify the situation regarding a sister-in-law. If a man's wife passes away, marrying her sister (the sister-in-law) is not explicitly forbidden in Islam. However, it is generally discouraged due to the potential for conflict and the importance of maintaining family harmony. In such cases, alternative solutions, such as finding a suitable husband for the sister-in-law or arranging care for any children involved, are recommended.
In conclusion, the Quranic verse "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time" underscores Islam's emphasis on maintaining strong family bonds and respecting kinship ties. This prohibition, further emphasised by the Prophet, aims to preserve the love and sisterhood between sisters, contributing to harmonious family relationships in Islamic society.
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A man may not be married to a woman and her aunt at the same time
In Islam, a man may not be married to a woman and her aunt at the same time. This is because the feeling of love and sisterliness that Islam wants to maintain between sisters would be destroyed if one sister became the co-wife of the same husband.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
> "A man may not be married to a woman and her paternal aunt (at the same time), nor to a woman and her maternal aunt. If you do this, you will sever your ties of kinship."
The Quran also mentions this in verse 4:23:
> "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed."
The scholars unanimously agree that a man cannot be married to a woman and her aunt at the same time. The reason for this prohibition is to prevent enmity among relatives and to preserve the sacred ties of kinship.
It is important to note that this prohibition is specific to a man being married to a woman and her aunt simultaneously. There are no restrictions on a man marrying his wife's aunt after the wife has passed away, as the prohibition is on simultaneous marriages.
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You can marry your sister-in-law if you separate from your wife
In Islam, a man is forbidden from marrying two sisters simultaneously. This is because the feelings of love and sisterliness that Islam wants to maintain between sisters would be destroyed if one sister became the co-wife of the same husband. The Quran states:
> "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are... two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed." (4:23)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) added:
> "A man may not be married to a woman and her paternal aunt (at the same time), nor to a woman and her maternal aunt." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Therefore, if a man wishes to marry his sister-in-law, he must separate from his wife first. However, it is important to note that having an affair with one's sister-in-law while still married to her sister is considered wrong and haram. Seeking professional help to deal with feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts is recommended.
In the case of a man whose wife has passed away, it is permissible for him to marry his sister-in-law, as the prohibition is specifically about having two sisters as co-wives at the same time.
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Seek help from Allah and increase your knowledge of Islam
Islam forbids a man from marrying his wife's sister, either as a co-wife or after the wife's death. The Quran states:
> "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: ... two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed" (4:23)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) added:
> "A man may not be married to a woman and her paternal aunt (at the same time), nor to a woman and her maternal aunt. If you do this, you will sever your ties of kinship." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The feeling of love and sisterliness that Islam wants to maintain between sisters would be destroyed if one sister became the co-wife of the same husband.
If you are struggling with forbidden feelings for your sister-in-law, it is important to seek help from Allah and increase your knowledge of Islam. Here are some ways to do that:
- Start by attaining general knowledge of the texts of revelation, as they are the main source for the religion of Allah.
- Memorise the Holy Quran as much as possible and strive to understand what you memorise.
- Study the prophetic Sunnah, starting with the most important matters and working your way through.
- Seek guidance from a shaykh in your local community who is trustworthy in terms of knowledge and religious commitment. They can guide you through the evidence for every issue and help you avoid scholarly opinions that may not be helpful at the beginning of your quest for knowledge.
- Study books such as 'Umdat al-Ahkaam by 'Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi, al-Arba'een an-Nawawiyyah by an-Nawawi, Buloogh al-Maraam, and al-Muntaqa min Akhbaar al-Mustafa.
- Read the books of hadith, such as Saheeh al-Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim.
Remember, the aim in seeking knowledge is to rectify yourself and others. Begin with matters that are important to you and then expand your knowledge to benefit those around you.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a man cannot marry his sister-in-law while his wife is alive. However, a man can marry his brother's widow. This is known as a levirate marriage, which is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow.
Islam forbids taking two sisters as co-wives at the same time because the feeling of love and sisterliness between sisters would be destroyed if one sister became the co-wife of the same husband.
Yes, God is very clear on who is and is not permissible for a Muslim man to marry. Prohibited to you are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your wives' mothers, and your step-daughters.
Yes, you can marry your brother's wife's sister as she is not of the women that you cannot marry.














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