What is the ruling on a husband saying to his wife, "You are not my mother," in the context of a dispute, and is that considered dhihar?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A husband's statement to his wife, "You are not my mother," is not considered ẓihār (a pronouncement of divorce) and has no consequences. This is because the wife is not the husband's mother, as Allah Almighty said: "They are not their mothers. Their mothers are only those who gave birth to them." Ẓihār is when a husband likens his wife, or a part of her, to a woman who is permanently forbidden to him, such as saying: "You are to me like the back of my mother." This type of resemblance is unlawful and a reprehensible act.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 125828
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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