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Is it permissible for a woman to laugh and jest with her maternal uncle's sons in the presence of her mother, her maternal uncle, and his wife, knowing that there is mutual admiration between her and one of them, and that her mother rejects this out of fear of a future divorce? And is it permissible for her to talk to him after he asks for friendship? What are the regulations in the Shafi'i school of thought? And is it permissible for her to show him feelings of love?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is not permissible to joke or laugh with the sons of the maternal uncle or with unrelated men in general, nor is it permissible to show affection towards them or accept a friend request, for fear of fitna (temptation/strife). Jurists have stipulated the prohibition of conversing with an unrelated woman without a need. If a girl sees one of them as suitable for marriage, she may offer herself to him through some of her mahrams (unmarriageable kin) according to Sharia guidelines. If this is not possible, she should turn away from him and occupy herself with what benefits her.

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

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