Islamic Law: Marrying Your Father-In-Law

can you marry your father in law 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. Similarly, it is forbidden for a man to marry his wife's grandmother, sister, or daughter. On the other hand, a man's father becomes a Mahram for his son's wife as soon as the marriage contract is made, and it is permissible for them to shake hands and be alone together.

Characteristics Values
Can a man marry his mother-in-law? No, it is forbidden irrespective of whether the man has engaged in sexual intercourse with her daughter or not.
Can a man marry his ex-wife's mother? No, she becomes his Mahram as soon as the marriage contract is done.
Can a man marry his wife's daughter? No, she becomes a Mahram for him if he consummates the marriage with her mother.
Can a man marry his daughter-in-law? No, it becomes haram to marry the wife of one's son or grandson as soon as the marriage contract is done.
Can a man marry his ex-husband's daughter? No, she becomes a Mahram for him if he consummates the marriage with her mother.

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A husband's father becomes a Mahram for his son's wife

In Islam, a husband's father becomes a Mahram for his son's wife as soon as the marriage contract is conducted. This is not subject to the condition that the marriage be consummated. The wife of the son is also a Mahram for her husband's father. This is supported by the verse in which Allah mentions the women who are Mahrams:

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

The husband's father can shake hands with his son's wife, be alone with her, and travel with her. However, it is important to note that the wife's daughter does not become a Mahram for her mother's husband unless he has consummated the marriage with her mother. This is because Allah says:

> "And your stepdaughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone in — but there is no sin on you if you have not gone in them (to marry their daughters)." [An-Nisa' 4:23]

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A wife's mother becomes a Mahram for her husband

In Islam, a mahram is a family member with whom marriage would be considered permanently unlawful (haram). A wife's mother is considered a mahram for her husband, as soon as the marriage contract is completed. This is true for both the wife's biological mother and her 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." 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 wife's mother is considered a mahram for her husband because Allah mentions the wives of your sons in Surat An-Nisa’ (interpretation of the meaning): "your wives' mothers". This means that a man's wife's mother is included in the category of women who are forbidden for him to marry. This also applies to the husband's father, who becomes a mahram for his son's wife as soon as the marriage contract is conducted.

It is important to note that before the marriage contract is done, the fiancée’s mother is regarded as a stranger to the man, and it is not permissible for her to uncover in front of him or for him to look at her or shake hands with her. However, after the marriage contract, the wife's mother becomes a mahram for her daughter's husband, and it is permissible for her to uncover and for him to shake hands with her.

In addition to the wife's mother, a man's mahram women include his mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, grandaunt, niece, grandniece, his father's wife, his wife's daughter (step-daughter), and his daughter-in-law (if previously married to his biological son). For a woman, mahram men include her father, grandfather, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, and son-in-law (if married to her biological daughter).

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It is forbidden to marry your mother-in-law

In Islam, it is forbidden to marry one's mother-in-law. This ruling is agreed upon by all Muslim jurists and is derived from the Quranic verse: "and your mothers-in-law" (An-Nisaa’: 23). The moment a marriage contract is concluded with a woman, her mother becomes permanently forbidden to her husband, irrespective of whether the marriage was consummated or not.

This ruling is further supported by another Quranic verse: "Forbidden unto you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your father’s sisters, and your mother’s sisters, and your brother’s daughters and your sister’s daughters, and your foster mothers, and your foster sisters, and your mothers-in-law, 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) and the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins." (An-Nisa’ 4:23).

The phrase "and your mothers-in-law" is considered general and inclusive, meaning that a woman's mother becomes a Mahram (a close kinship) for her husband as soon as the marriage contract is made. This is further supported by the interpretation of the verse, "your wives' mothers," which specifically prohibits a man from marrying the mother or grandmother of his wife, no matter how distant the relationship.

Additionally, according to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, it is not permissible to marry one's mother-in-law, regardless of whether the man has engaged in sexual intercourse with her daughter or not, and whether or not the daughter is divorced before consummation. This ruling is consistent with the interpretation of the 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)," which allows for the marriage of a stepdaughter if there has been no sexual intercourse.

In conclusion, the Islamic ruling on marrying one's mother-in-law is clear and unequivocal. It is forbidden to marry one's mother-in-law, and this ruling is supported by Quranic verses and interpretations, as well as the consensus of Muslim jurists.

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A female Muslim cannot marry without parental permission

In Islam, the general consensus among scholars is that a female Muslim who has not been married before is not permitted to marry without the consent of her parents or a guardian such as her father or brother. This is based on the hadith: “Any woman who gets married without the permission of her guardian, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid. If her husband has consummated the marriage, then the dowry belongs to her in return".

Imam Abu Hanifah, however, is among a few scholars who disagree with this view. He permits marriage without the permission of the parents or a guardian for a female who has passed the age of puberty, as long as she is marrying someone who is equal in status and social rank to her family.

Even in cases where a guardian prevents a girl from marrying a suitable and qualified match without a valid reason, the guardianship can pass to another fit guardian such as a brother or uncle. If all her guardians obstruct her from getting married to a suitable match without providing a valid reason, the Muslim ruler should assume the role of her guardian.

It is important to note that marrying against one's parents' will can have lifelong repercussions and cause familial discord, as seen in the experiences of some Muslims.

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A husband's father may shake hands with his son's wife

In Islam, the husband's father is considered a Mahram for his son's wife. This means that the husband's father is among the unmarriageable persons for his son's wife, and the wife is forbidden forever to her father-in-law. This is established when a marriage contract is made between a man and a woman.

As a Mahram, it is permissible for a wife to shake hands with her father-in-law. This is supported by the verse in which Allah mentions the women who are Mahrams: "the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins" [An-Nisa' 4:23]. This indicates that the wife of the son is a Mahram for her husband's father.

In addition to shaking hands, the husband's father may also be alone with his son's wife and travel with her. This is further supported by the verse in the Quran: "and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers..." [24:31]. This verse indicates that it is permissible for a woman to show her father-in-law her external adornment, such as her hair, neck, hands, and feet.

However, it is important to note that the husband's other male relatives, such as his brothers, uncles, and cousins, are not considered Mahrams. The wife should be cautious around these relatives and avoid mixing with them, looking at them, or shaking their hands. According to the Prophet's words, "The in-law is death," these relatives pose a greater temptation or Fitnah, as they can reach the woman without anyone denouncing it.

In summary, a husband's father may shake hands with his son's wife in Islam because the father becomes a Mahram for his son's wife through the marriage contract. This relationship is supported by specific Quranic verses and interpretations. However, the wife should exercise caution with other male relatives of her husband and avoid certain interactions, as advised by the Prophet's warnings.

Frequently asked questions

No, a Muslim woman cannot marry her father-in-law. Once a man makes a marriage contract with a woman, his father becomes a Mahram for her, and it is forbidden for a Mahram to marry their son's wife.

No, a Muslim man cannot marry his mother-in-law. Once a marriage contract is concluded with a certain woman, her mother becomes permanently forbidden to him, irrespective of consummation.

No, a Muslim woman cannot marry her ex-husband's father. If a man makes a valid marriage contract with a woman, then she becomes a Mahram for his father, no matter how far the line of ascent reaches.

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