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The question

Does a husband's calling his wife "my mother" (ya ummi) or "mom" (ya mama) constitute "zihar" requiring expiation, even if it is meant in the common vernacular and not as zihar, or when said in anger?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

If a man habitually says "O my mother" to his wife and does not intend prohibition by it, this is not considered ẓihār, even if he says it in a state of anger. Imam Malik was of the opinion that a man saying to his wife "O my mother," "O my aunt (maternal)," or "O my aunt (paternal)" carries no consequence, and it is considered foolish talk. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade a man who said to his wife, "O my sister." Such a form of address does not make the wife unlawful, but it is considered foolishness, and the husband is not required to offer expiation for ẓihār. Intercourse between them remains permissible.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Where this answer came from
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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
148638
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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Read the full answer on Ftawy