What is the ruling on family gatherings attended by non-mahram men, such as the husband's brother, the husband's sister's husband, the husband's sister's son, and the sister's husband, in one room at one dining table, where laughter and jesting may occur, and what are the limits of the relationship between them?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The safest approach in family gatherings is to separate men from women to prevent temptation. However, if they do gather, the etiquette of Islam must be observed. Women should not speak in a soft, alluring manner, nor should they converse with men unnecessarily, except as needed, while adhering to the . Men, for their part, must lower their gaze and avoid unnecessary conversation. It is forbidden to sit so close that a man touches a non- woman. If these etiquettes are not observed, such gatherings are forbidden and sinful. A woman should treat her non-mahram relatives as strangers.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/46270
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 46270
- 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.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy