Marrying Your Sister-In-Law: Is It Legal?

Marrying one's sister-in-law was prohibited by law in England until 1907, when the law was changed to allow a man to marry his dead wife's sister. In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married. In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to wed his deceased brother's childless widow. While marrying one's sister-in-law is not prohibited by law in most places, it is still considered taboo by some cultures and may raise ethical concerns due to the close familial relationship.

Can you marry your sister-in-law?

In most countries, it is illegal to marry your sister-in-law

Marrying one's sister-in-law is generally considered taboo in many cultures and societies. In most countries, it is illegal to do so.

In the past, the laws regarding prohibited marriages were more stringent. In England, for instance, the list of forbidden marriages drawn up by the Church of England in 1560 included a man marrying his sister-in-law, and this remained unchanged until the 20th century. The 1907 Marriage Act removed a wife's sister from the list of prohibited marriages, provided that the first spouse had died. The 1921 Marriage Act further amended this by removing the brother's wife from the list, again, provided that the brother had died.

However, even with these amendments, the laws still prohibited a man from marrying his sister-in-law if his brother was still alive. It was only with the 1986 Marriage Act that this restriction was removed, bringing the regulations up-to-date and allowing for such marriages under certain conditions.

Despite these legal changes, it is important to note that in some legal and religious systems, marrying one's sister-in-law is still prohibited. For example, in Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are considered incestuous and forbidden unless the spouse is no longer married. In Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow so that she might bear children.

While it may be legally permissible to marry one's sister-in-law in some countries, it is essential to consider cultural norms and societal perceptions. Some families and cultures may view such a marriage as unusual or even unacceptable, potentially leading to conflicts and raising eyebrows within the family and society.

In summary, while the legality of marrying one's sister-in-law has evolved over time and is allowed under specific conditions in some countries, it is essential to be mindful of cultural and societal perceptions, as well as religious laws that may still prohibit such unions.

In Islamic law and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous

In Islamic law, there are several prohibited relationships outlined in the Quran. These include one's mother, daughters, sisters, father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's daughters, and sister's daughters. However, there is no explicit mention of the sister-in-law in this context. Some sources suggest that a man can marry his brother's widow if he chooses to, as there is "no restriction in Shariah".

Islamic law also prohibits a man from marrying two sisters simultaneously. This is a separate rule from the one prohibiting marriage with one's wife's mother and daughters, which are "perpetually forbidden".

In Jewish law, there are also strict rules regarding incest. The Talmud, a set of teachings and commentaries that form the basis for Jewish law, forbids sexual relations between a man and his aunt or uncle's wife. However, it does not explicitly prohibit a relationship with one's niece, the daughter of one's sister or brother. While some sources suggest that a man may marry his sister-in-law, this is in reference to a specific tradition called levirate marriage, which is intended to protect widows. In this practice, if a man dies childless, his brother is required to marry his widow. This tradition is preferred by the Torah but is considered shameful by the Talmud, which states that a brother should only marry his sister-in-law if he sincerely desires to follow the commandment, rather than for monetary or sensual reasons.

In summary, while there is no explicit prohibition of sexual relations between siblings-in-law in Islamic or Jewish law, there are strict rules regarding incest and prohibited relationships in both legal systems. It is important to note that local civil laws may also come into play, and these may supersede religious laws in certain cases.

In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man would marry his deceased brother's childless widow

Marrying one's sister-in-law is generally prohibited. However, in the past, it was allowed under certain conditions. In Judaism, for instance, there was a custom called yibbum, a form of levirate marriage where a man would marry his deceased brother's childless widow. This custom was based on Deuteronomy 25:5–10, which states that the brother of a man who died without children is permitted and even encouraged to marry the widow. The oldest brother was given preference, and if he refused, the next brother in line could perform yibbum. The offspring of such a union would be considered the deceased brother's children, perpetuating his name and inheritance.

The purpose of yibbum was to protect widows, who, in ancient times, were left without anyone to provide for them and were likely to starve. By marrying her deceased husband's brother, the widow gained a new family, enhanced status, and financial resources. Additionally, the brother who performed yibbum became the sole benefactor of his brother's estate. However, if either party refused to go through with the marriage, they were required to perform a ceremony called halizah, which involved a symbolic act of renunciation of their right to marry each other.

Over time, Jewish law (halakha) has seen a decline in the practice of yibbum in favour of halizah. Today, most contemporary Jewish communities, including those in Israel, prohibit yibbum. While Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism have abolished it, Conservative Judaism formally retains the custom.

It is worth noting that the Bible's stance on levirate marriage is complex. While it is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Deuteronomy, the Talmud expresses a preference for halizah over levirate marriage. Medieval scholars were also divided on the issue, with Maimonides favouring levirate marriage and Rashi preferring halizah. This disagreement led to a split in the halakhah between Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions.

Levirate marriage, or a similar custom involving the marriage of a man to his brother's widow, has been observed in various cultures throughout history. For example, during the Meiji period in Japan, there was a custom called aniyome ni naosu, which translates to "straightening out one's brother's widow." In India, the most famous instance of levirate marriage is the wedding of the Panchala princess Draupadi to the five Pandava brothers, as told in the epic Mahabharata. In Zimbabwe, the Shona people practice levirate marriage, and it is also common among the Kurds and in some parts of Nigeria, especially among the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa-Fulani groups.

In some cultures, like Indian English, a sister-in-law is referred to as a co-sister

Marrying one's sister-in-law is not a universally accepted practice. While some people find it unusual and taboo, others believe it is perfectly fine as long as all parties are consenting adults and there is no blood relation. In some cultures and religions, marrying a sister-in-law was prohibited unless the first spouse had died. For example, until the law changed in 1907 in England, a man was forbidden to marry his deceased wife's sister.

In Indian English, the term "co-sister" is used to refer to a sister-in-law, specifically the wife of one's husband's brother. This term is not commonly understood by native English speakers from regions outside India. The usage of the term "co-sister" in Indian English reflects the importance of exactness in relationships within local Indian cultures. It is worth noting that the term "co-sister-in-law" is also used in translation from other languages, where the distinction between "sister-in-law" and "co-sister-in-law" exists.

In the United States, the husband of one's wife's sister is referred to as a "brother-in-law", which is the same term used for the husband of one's own sister. Similarly, the wife of one's husband's brother is called a "sister-in-law", the same term used for the wife of one's own brother. This usage of the terms "brother-in-law" and "sister-in-law" is also prevalent in most non-Indian regions.

It is important to note that the usage of terms for in-laws can vary across different regions and cultures. While some cultures, like Indian English, use specific terms like "co-sister", others may use more general terms like "brother-in-law" or "sister-in-law". These terms often refer to the reciprocal relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse, which is a type of kinship called affinity.

Marrying your sister-in-law is not considered taboo by some people

Marrying one's sister-in-law is not considered taboo by some people. While it may be seen as unconventional or unusual by some, it is not inherently wrong or illegal as long as there is no blood relation involved. In fact, it is more common than one might think, as people who spend a lot of time together can often develop romantic feelings for each other. This can lead to new relationships, love, and conflict, which, while perhaps surprising, is not considered immoral by many.

In some cultures and religions, marrying one's sister-in-law is even encouraged or seen as a duty. For example, there is a passage in the Bible that states that if a man's brother dies, he should marry his brother's widow, or sister-in-law. This practice is not often discussed or emphasized, but it highlights how marrying one's sister-in-law can be seen as acceptable or even honorable in certain contexts.

Legally, in most places, there are no explicit prohibitions against marrying one's sister-in-law, as long as there is no blood relation. In the United States, incest laws vary across jurisdictions, but generally, it is only illegal to marry close blood relatives, such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. However, in New York, marriages between individuals related within certain degrees of consanguinity are prohibited, which could potentially include a sister-in-law depending on the specific family structure.

It is important to note that social norms and personal opinions may differ from legal restrictions. While some people may find it unusual or even acceptable, others may still view it as taboo or inappropriate. Ultimately, as long as all parties are consenting adults who can communicate respectfully and honestly, the decision to marry one's sister-in-law is a personal choice that should be made without the stigma of taboo, though it may still invite curiosity or surprise from others.

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