Are Stepdaughters Mahram
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Allah (SWA) in the Holy Qur’an has said:
‘And your stepdaughters under your care who are born of your women with whom you have had intercourse’. (Surah Nisa v.23)
When a man marries a woman and sleeps with her after the marriage, the daughter of that woman from another husband becomes unlawful for him and so do her grand daughters, both paternal and maternal. Marriage with them is not permissible. They will become your mahram and the stepfather can accompany them for Hajj if he wishes.
It should be noted that following the nikah, if one touches his wife lustfully or looks at her private part with sexual desire, then this too will be taken as having sex with her, therefore it will make the daughter of that woman unlawful.
However, if the husband has not yet slept with his wife and has divorced her after the contract of marriage, then her daughter and grand daughters will remain lawful for him. (Maariful Qur’an p.380 v.2)
From the aforementioned discussion we can derive that if the stepfather has had sexual intercourse or touched or kissed the mother then the daughter will become the stepfathers mahram and he can accompany her for Hajj. Otherwise, it would not be permissible.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
