Ruling concerning a woman uncovering her face in front of her husband's relatives and a boy sleeping with his mother or sister

Question: Is it legally permissible for a woman to uncover in front of her husband's brothers and cousins? Is it allowed for a boy to sleep in the same bed with his mother or sister after he has reached the age of puberty?

Response: First, the brothers and cousins of the husband are not mahram for his wife simply because they are his brothers or cousins. Therefore, it is not allowed for his wife to uncover in front of them what she cannot uncover in front of non-mahram men. This is true even if they are very pious and trustworthy. Allaah has delineated whom a woman may expose her beauty to in the verse, {[Tell the believing women] not to reveal their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women or the (female) slaves, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex}, [Soorah an-Noor, Aayah 31]. Therefore, neither the brothers of the husband nor the children of the brothers of the husband nor the husband's cousins are from that group, even though they are related to him. Allaah makes no distinction in this matter between pious people and others. This is safer for the honour of people. It also blocks the road to sin and evil. It is confirmed in authentic Hadeeth that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) was asked about the male in-laws and he said, "The in-laws are death." The in-laws are the brother of the husband and so forth. They are not mahram for the wife. A Muslim must protect his religion and safeguard his honour.

Second, it is not allowed for male children, if they have reached the age of puberty or are ten years old or more, to sleep with their mothers or sisters in the same bedding or mattress. This safeguards chastity and keeps the person away from temptation. It also closes the door to evil. The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) ordered that the children be separated in their bedding when they reach the age of ten. He said, ((Order your children to pray when they are seven years old. And spank them [to exhort them] to do it by the age of ten and separate them in their bedding)). Those who are not approaching the age of puberty still must ask permission to enter upon their parents at three times during the day. These are the times in which one is more likely to be taking off his clothing and exposing the parts that are usually covered. This has been stressed by them being called times of privacy. Allaah says in the Qur.aan, {O you who believe! Let your slaves and those among you who have not come to the age of puberty ask permission [before they come to your presence] on three occasions: before morning prayer, and while you put off your clothes for the noonday [rest] and after the 'Ishaa. [Night] Prayer. [These] three times are times of privacy for you. Other than those times there is no sin for you or for them to move about, attending to each other. Thus Allaah makes clear His signs to you. And Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Wise}, [Soorah an-Noor, Aayah 58]. However, those who are past the age of puberty must seek permission to enter at all times of the day. Allaah says, {And when the children among you reach the age of puberty, then let them (also) ask for permission, as those senior to them (in age ask permission). Thus Allaah makes clear His signs for you. And Allaah is Al-Knowing A-Wise}, [Soorah an-Noor, Aayah 59]. All of this is to avoid any kinds of problems and temptations and to safeguard honours. It also brings an end to the means that lead to evil. As for the child who is less than ten years old, it is permissible for him to sleep with his mother and sister in their bedding if there is some need to look after him and if there is no fear of temptation. They may also all sleep in the same area, in their own bedding, if they are of the age of puberty if there is no fear of temptation.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
Fataawa al-Mar.ah