How should a married woman interact with her sister's husband and her paternal and maternal uncles' children? Is maintaining ties with these individuals considered an obligatory act of kinship? And is congratulating them on holidays, inquiring about them, and speaking with them within limits considered forbidden?
Scholars have differed on the exact definition of the kin ( رحم ) whose ties must be maintained. The preponderant view is that it is forbidden to sever ties with unmarriageable kin ( ذي الرحم المحرم ), such as brothers, sisters, paternal uncles, paternal aunts, maternal uncles, and maternal aunts. It is disliked to sever ties with marriageable kin ( ذي الرحم غير المحرم ), such as paternal cousins and maternal cousins.
A sister's husband is not considered kin ( من الأرحام ). The شرع (Islamic law) mandates observing specific regulations when dealing with non-mahram male relatives and a sister's husband. It is not permissible to be in seclusion with them, nor to display inner adornments to them, nor to shake hands with them.
Speaking with them is permissible if there is no fear of temptation ( فتنة ) and no suspicion ( ريبة ), and if the conversation is serious, devoid of submissiveness, and limited to what is necessary. However, if there is a fear of temptation or if suspicion arises, then refraining from speaking becomes obligatory.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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