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What is the ruling on a girl in her twenties remaining with a family not of her relatives, consisting of a mother and her two married sons, knowing that this family raised her since childhood due to family problems with her real, living parents, and she asks about her real parents from time to time? And is leaving the mother who raised her considered an act of disobedience (ʿuqūq)?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is permissible for a woman to live with non-relatives if she is safe and secure, and if a private place is designated for her that shields her from non-mahrams. However, if she fears temptation (fitna) or if there is no private place for her, then it is not permissible. The sons of the woman who raised her are considered non-mahrams to her. Parents have a great right, and it is not permissible to abandon them or treat them badly, especially the mother. The nanny has a right over the woman, and it is permissible to stay with her as long as it does not involve seclusion (khalwa) or intermingling. If the mother needs her to stay, she must return and stay with her. If the mother does not need her and consents to her staying with the nanny, then there is no objection.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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