Who is a Mahram? ANSWER In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, As a general principle, it is worth remembering that a Mahram is one with whom marriage is permanently unlawful. This is the reason why “Mahram” is translated in English as unmarriageable kin. This (permanent prohibition of marriage) is established in three ways: By kinship (qarabah), foster relationship (radha’a) and relationship through marriage (sihriyya). It is stated in the famous Hanafi Fiqh treatise, al-Hidaya: “A Mahram (for a woman) is he, between whom and her marriage is permanently unlawful, whether this is due to the relationship of lineage/kin (nasab) or because of some other reason, such as foster relationship (radha’a) or relationship by marriage (musaharah).” (al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, 4/461-462) Imam al-Kasani (Allah have mercy on him) states: “A Mahram is he, with whom marriage is permanently unlawful, either by kinship, foster relationship or relationship by marriage.” (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 2/124) Thus, permanent unlawfulness of marriage is established with the above-mentioned three types of relationships, and a Mahram is he with whom marriage is unlawful permanently. In other words, one becomes a Mahram due to these three types of relationships. Let us now look at these relationships in detail Relationship of family/lineage (qarabah) It is permanently unlawful for a man to marry the following (hence he will be considered a Mahram for them): a) Mother, grandmother, and on up; b) Paternal grandmother, and on up; c) Daughters, grand daughters, and on down; d) All type of sisters (whether full or half), e) Maternal and paternal aunts, f) Nieces (brother’s or sister’s daughters), Allah Most High says: “Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: Your mothers, daughters, sisters, father’s sisters, mother’s sisters; brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters….” (Surah al-Nisa, 22)
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:16:14 +0000
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