Observing Hijab from a brother-in-law

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

1. In principle, it is Haram (prohibited) for a man to be married to two sisters at the same time.[1] Allah Ta’ala says:

Translation: Prohibited to you [for marriage] are ………. and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occurred. (Al-Nisa: 23)

2. In principle, a brother-in-law is Ghair Mahram for his sister-in-law. There is a potential of nikah between a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.[2] It is compulsory to observe the laws of Hijab between Ghair Mahrams and more so between the brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) warned woman against the danger of a brother-in-law and stated:

Translation: The brother-in-law is death. (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 5232) [3]

The death referred to in this Hadith refers to spiritual death. The brother-in-law has easy access to his sister-in-law due to being family which has a potential of developing feelings and could be disastrous to the marriage.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdullah Syed Sajid

Student Darul Iftaa
Houston, TX, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.