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Who
is a Mahram in Islam?
Any woman with whom a man
has a relationship (of blood or fosterage) that precludes
marriage, is considered a Mahram to him.
Mahram women include his mother, grandmother, daughter,
granddaughter, sister, aunt, grandaunt, niece, grandniece, his
father's wife, his wife's daughter, his mother-in-law, his
foster mother (the one who nursed him), foster sisters, and any
foster relatives that are similar to the above mentioned blood
relatives as the Prophet (SAW) said, "What is forbidden by
reason of kindship is forbidden by reason of suckling." (Al-Bukhari)
These are considered Maharim because Allah (SWT) mentioned them
in the Holy Qur'an: "And marry not
women whom your fathers married, except what has already passed;
indeed it was shameful and most hateful, and an evil way.
Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, your
daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's
sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your
foster mother who gave you suck, your foster milk suckling
sisters, your wives' mothers, your step-daughters under your
guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have go in - but
there is no sin on you if you have not gone in them (to marry
their daughters), - the wives of your sons who (spring) from
your own loins, and two sisters in wedlock at the same time,
except for what has already passed; verily, Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (An-Nisa
4:22-23)
All the man's female relatives mentioned in these two verses are
considered his Maharim, because it is unlawful (haram) for him
to marry them, except the wife's sister mentioned last, who is
not a Mahram because he can marry her if he divorces her sister,
or if she dies. Reciprocally, if a woman is a Mahram to a man,
such as her brother, her father, her uncle, etc. then he is a
Mahram to her. All other relatives are considered non-Maharim
and they fall under the category of strangers to her, except
one's wife or husband who is also called Mahram.
[From Al-Jumuah Magazine Issue 5]
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