A woman’s mahram is a person whom she is never permitted to marry because of their close blood relationship or because of breastfeeding or because they are related by marriage.
Below is an exhaustive table of a women’s Mahram and non-Mahram
Relation Type: Blood Relations for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather… | “And marry not women whom your fathers married…” (An-Nisa 4:22) |
| Son, Grandson, Great-grandson… | “Prohibited to you [for marriage] are… your sons…” (An-Nisa 4:23) |
| Full Brother, Half-Brother | “Prohibited to you [for marriage] are… your brothers…” (An-Nisa 4:23) |
| Paternal Uncle, Maternal Uncle | “…and the sisters of your fathers and mothers…” (An-Nisa 4:23) |
| Brother’s Son, Sister’s Son | Descendants of siblings are part of close blood ties. |
| Full Nephew, Half Nephew (Brother’s son, Sister’s son) | Descendants of siblings are part of close blood ties. |
| Great-Uncles, Great-Nephews… | Direct ascendants/descendants of uncles/aunts are part of blood ties |
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Cousins (Paternal/Maternal) | Not mentioned as prohibited; marriage is permissible |
| Distant Relatives (e.g., 2nd Cousins) | Not part of immediate family; marriage is permissible |
Relation Type: Marriage Relations (Affinity) for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Father-in-law, Grandfather-in-law.. | “And marry not the wives of your fathers…” (An-Nisa 4:22); reciprocal relationships apply. |
| Stepson, Step-grandson.. | “…and your stepdaughters under your guardianship…” (An-Nisa 4:23). |
| Son-in-law | “…the wives of your sons who are from your loins…” (An-Nisa 4:23). |
| Stepdaughter’s Descendants, Stepson’s Descendants | Marriage to the mother must be consummated; descendants are treated as Mahram. |
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Brother-in-law | “The in-law is death.” (Bukhari 5232, Muslim 2172); marriage is permissible. |
| Husband’s Uncle, Husband’s Nephew | Not considered part of direct marital affinity; marriage is permissible. |
Relation Type: Breastfeeding Relations (Rada’ah) for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Foster Father (Husband of Foster Mother) | “Prohibited to you… your milk-mothers who nursed you.” (An-Nisa 4:23); milk ties extend to the husband. |
| Foster Brother (Son of Foster Parents) | “…your milk-brothers…” (An-Nisa 4:23). |
| Foster Nephews/Nieces (Children of Foster Siblings) | Milk ties extend to the descendants of foster siblings. |
| Foster Grandparents (Parents of Foster Parents) | Milk ties extend to the ascendants of foster parents. |
| Foster Uncles/Aunts (Siblings of Foster Parents) | Milk ties extend to siblings of foster parents. |
| Foster Descendants (Children or Grandchildren of Foster Siblings) | Milk ties extend to all descendants of foster siblings. |
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Husband of Foster Sister | Not directly related by milk ties; marriage is permissible. |
| Milk-Cousins (Cousins of Foster Siblings) | Marriage permissible unless direct milk ties exist. |
Relation Type: Step-Relations for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Stepfather (Mother’s Husband, Consummated Marriage) | “And marry not women whom your fathers married…” (An-Nisa 4:22). |
| Step-grandfather (Husband of Grandmother, Consummated Marriage) | Marriage to the grandmother must be consummated; Mahram ties extend to him. |
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Stepfather (Mother’s Husband, Not Consummated) | Marriage permissible if no consummation occurred. |
| Step-grandfather (Husband of Grandmother, Not Consummated) | Marriage permissible if no consummation occurred. |
| Stepdaughter’s Husband | Not directly related; marriage is permissible. |
Relation Type: Other Relations for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Adopted / Sponsered Children | “Nor has He made your adopted sons your [true] sons…” (Al-Ahzab 33:4); no Mahram ties exist. |
| (Male) Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors, Workers, Drivers, Employees, Employers, Tailor, Shopkeeper, etc |
Not part of any blood, marital, or milk ties; marriage is permissible. |
| Non-Biological Guardians (e.g., foster parents) | Guardianship alone does not establish Mahram ties unless breastfeeding applies. |
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Leave Your Comments
© Copyright 2025, All Rights Reserved