Fatwa ID: 02563

Answered by: Maulana Maruf Ahmed

Question

If a woman's husband dies will the father in law still be the woman's mahram?

Answer

A mahram is one with whom marriage is permanently impermissible. After marriage, a woman’s father in law becomes her mahram as marriage with him becomes permanently forbidden. This is based on the verse:

“And the wives of your sons proceeding from your loins (i.e. real sons).” (4:23)

This verse describes the woman who ae forbidden for men to marry, and among them are the wives of their real sons.

As marriage to one’s father in law becomes permanently forbidden, he will therefore remain a mahram even after the death of one’s husband.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Maruf Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham