Question
Who is considered a woman’s maḥram in Islam?
Short Summary
A woman’s maḥram is a man she can never marry due to close kinship, breastfeeding ties, or marital relations. These permanent prohibitions are set by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Below is an exhaustive table of a woman’s Mahram and non-Mahram
Relation Type: Blood Relations for Women
| Relationship | Proof / Reason |
|---|---|
| Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather… | “Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers…” (An-Nisa 4:23). |
| 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. |
What This Means for You
A woman’s mahrams are strictly those men whom she can never marry due to permanent prohibitions of blood, marriage, or breastfeeding. All other men are non-mahram, and interaction with them must follow the rulings of hijab and Shariah etiquette.
And Allah knows best
References
Primary Sources
- Qur’an 4:22–23
- Qur’an 24:31
- Qur’an 33:4
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5232
- Sahih Muslim 2172
Secondary Sources
- Ibn Kathir, Tafsir (on 4:23)
- Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni (on mahram categories)
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