
In Islam, the word 'mahram' refers to a man who is prohibited from marrying a woman because of a blood relation, an in-law relation, or other reasons. Close male family members such as fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and stepfathers are considered mahrams and can see a woman without a hijab. In the case of in-laws, a mother-in-law is considered a mahram to her daughter's husband, and it is permissible for him to see her without a hijab. However, the husband's brothers and brothers-in-law are not considered mahrams, and a woman must wear a hijab in their presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a woman see her mother-in-law without a hijab? | No, it is considered a kind of extremism in Hijab. |
| Can a woman see her step-mother without a hijab? | No, unless the step-mother is also related by blood or breastfeeding. |
| Can a woman see her father-in-law without a hijab? | Yes, he is considered a Mahram. |
| Can a woman see her brother-in-law without a hijab? | No, he is not considered a Mahram. |
| Can a woman see her step-brother without a hijab? | Only if the step-brother is a half-brother (shares the same mother), otherwise, he is not a Mahram. |
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What You'll Learn

A mother-in-law is considered a Mahram to her daughter's husband
In Islam, a mahram is a close family member with whom marriage would be considered unlawful. A woman does not need to wear a hijab around her mahram or spouse. The husband of a woman's daughter is one of the mahrams through marriage, so it is permissible for him to see his mother-in-law without a hijab. A woman's mahram is a person with whom she shares a close blood relationship, a breastfeeding relationship, or a relationship by marriage. For example, a woman's father, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and step-father are considered her mahram.
The relationship of mahram by rada'ah or "milk-suckling" is similar to the relationship of mahram by blood, meaning that marriage is forbidden by virtue of that relationship. This is based on the Islamic prophet Muhammad's saying, "What is forbidden by reason of kinship is forbidden by reason of suckling." According to the Quran and Sunnah, a woman's mahrams through rada'ah are the same as her mahrams through blood ties, and she can display her adornments before them as she would before her blood relatives.
A woman's mahrams by marriage are those with whom it is forever forbidden to marry, such as the father's wife, the son's wife, or the wife's mother. For example, a man will remain mahram to his ex-mother-in-law even after divorcing her daughter. The most obvious person in a marital family whom a woman can see without a hijab is her husband. Additionally, her father-in-law is also considered her mahram, but her husband's brothers are not.
It is important to note that the concept of mahram is reciprocal. All other relatives who are not considered mahrams are classified as non-maharim. While an adult son can advise his mother or sister on the laws of hijab, he should do so with respect and compassion.
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Daughters can uncover in front of their fathers
In Islam, the word 'mahram' refers to a man who is permanently unmarriageable to a woman because of a blood relation, an in-law relation, or other reasons. A woman's father is considered a mahram, and therefore, it is permissible for a woman to uncover in front of her father. This also applies to her brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and step-fathers.
In the case of daughters, it is permissible for a woman to expose her awrah in front of her children who have not reached the age of discernment, which is generally considered to be before puberty. However, once a child reaches an age where they can understand the concept of 'awrah' and describe what they see, a woman should observe modesty in front of them. Therefore, a mother can uncover in front of her young daughter but should cover herself in front of her older, discerning daughter.
It is important to note that the concept of hijab and modesty in Islam extends beyond the physical covering of the body. It also includes the way a person carries themselves, their behaviour, and their interactions with others.
Additionally, while the husband of a woman's daughter is considered a mahram, it is considered a form of extremism for a woman to cover her face, hair, and forearms in front of her son-in-law. However, if a woman feels uncomfortable or senses that the way her son-in-law looks at her is improper, she may choose to maintain modesty in front of him.
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Daughters do not need to wear a hijab in front of their stepfathers
In Islam, the word 'mahram' refers to a man who is permanently unmarriageable to a woman due to a blood relation, an in-law relation, or other reasons. A woman's father, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and step-father are all considered her mahrams.
According to Islamic teachings, a stepfather is considered a mahram to his stepdaughter, and therefore, a girl is permitted to take off her hijab in front of him. This is because the stepfather is prohibited from marrying his stepdaughter, and she is considered a mahram to him. Consummating a marriage with a woman's mother makes her daughters forbidden to him, and the same applies if a marriage contract is made with a daughter, her mother becomes forbidden.
It is important to note that while a stepdaughter can remove her hijab in front of her stepfather, there are still guidelines for appropriate attire. A woman is permitted to expose her hair, ears, neck, upper chest, arms, and legs before her mahram male relatives. However, other parts of her body, such as the back, abdomen, thighs, and private parts, should not be shown to anyone except her husband.
The ruling on wearing a hijab in front of stepbrothers is different. Stepbrothers who share the same mother are considered half-brothers and are mahrams, so a woman can remove her hijab in front of them. However, if the stepbrother is only related through the stepfather and there is no blood relation, he is not a mahram, and the woman should cover herself in front of him.
While an adult Muslim son can advise his mother and sister on the laws of hijab, it should be done with respect and compassion. Additionally, while hijab is an important consideration for a potential spouse, it is not the only factor, and other qualities should also be considered.
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A woman's brother is a mahram to her and all her progeny
In Islam, a woman's mahram is a person whom she is never permitted to marry because of their close blood relationship, breastfeeding, or marriage. The word 'mahram' means permanently unmarriageable. Women can sit without a hijab in front of mahram men who are prohibited from marrying her.
On the other hand, a brother-in-law is not a mahram, so a woman must wear her hijab in front of him. A stepmother's brothers are also not considered mahrams because they do not share a blood relation and are essentially strangers, so a woman cannot see them without a hijab.
In addition to a woman's brother, her other mahrams through blood ties include her forefathers, such as her father's and mother's forefathers, no matter how far back the line of ascent goes. Her husband's forefathers are also her mahrams by marriage. Her sons, including her children's children, are also her mahrams, regardless of whether they are descended from males or females.
Furthermore, a woman's mahrams through breastfeeding include the brother and husband of the woman who breastfed her. These relationships are created by rada'ah, as stated in the hadith: "Do not observe hijab in front of him, because the same relationships of mahram are created by rada'ah."
Finally, a woman's mahrams through marriage include her husband, as well as her father-in-law. However, her husband's brothers are not her mahrams, so she must keep her hijab on in their presence.
It is important to note that while a woman's brother is a mahram to her, she may still choose to wear a hijab out of respect or personal preference. Additionally, an adult son is encouraged to advise his mother or sister on the laws of hijab with respect and compassion.
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A mother-in-law through breastfeeding is a Mahram
In Islam, the word 'mahram' refers to a person who is permanently unmarriageable due to a blood relation, an in-law relation, or other reasons. A mother-in-law is considered a mahram to her daughter's husband, and this relationship is established as soon as the daughter's marriage contract is finalised. This mahram relationship remains valid even if the couple divorces or if the wife passes away.
According to Islamic teachings, a wife's mother is a mahram to her daughter's husband. This includes the wife's mother through breastfeeding, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "and what becomes Mahram (forbidden for marriage) through breastfeeding is that which becomes Mahram through ties of kinship." Therefore, a mother-in-law through breastfeeding is considered a mahram.
It is important to note that for breastfeeding to establish a mahram relationship, it must meet certain conditions. Firstly, there must be at least five instances of breastfeeding, according to the hadith of 'Aisyah. Additionally, the breastfeeding must occur within the first two years of the infant's life, as stated in Al-Baqarah 2:233, and the child must be fully dependent on breast milk during this period.
However, there are differing opinions on whether drinking breast milk indirectly, such as through an ASI bank, establishes a mahram relationship. Some argue that direct suckling from the nipple of the breastfeeding mother is necessary, based on the hadith "Laa tuharrimul-masshotu wal-masshurani" ("It is not forbidden (because of the composition) one suction and two suction.").
In summary, a mother-in-law through breastfeeding is considered a mahram in Islam, similar to a mother-in-law through blood ties. This relationship is established as soon as the daughter's marriage contract is finalised and remains valid even after a divorce or the wife's death. Additionally, for breastfeeding to establish a mahram relationship, it must meet specific criteria, including a minimum of five instances of breastfeeding and occurring within the first two years of the infant's life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a mother-in-law is considered a Mahram to her daughter's husband, making marriage between them strictly prohibited. This Mahram relationship is established as soon as the daughter’s marriage contract is completed and remains valid even if the couple divorces or the wife passes away.
The mahram men in a woman's close family include her father, brothers, and grandfathers on both sides. If a woman has a stepfather, he is also considered a mahram. A woman's uncle and her mother's and father's uncles are also her mahrams.
A woman's brother-in-law is not a mahram, so she must wear a hijab in front of him. The same applies to her husband's brothers-in-law. A stepmother's brothers are not mahrams because they are not blood relatives.











































