Q: I recently heard someone say that it is permissible for the sister-in-law to not make parda from her brother-in-law when:
1. There is no scope of fitna.
2. When it becomes difficult for her to leave her own room for basic needs.
My friend has recently married into a family of 6. They live in a small flat. Her brother-in- law is 6 years younger than her and she claims he is an actual replica of her brother in her maternal home. There isn't a chance that they can ever be alone. It becomes difficult for her to constantly be in her cloak, burkha and pardah the entire day almost as if she is at a guests home and not in a home that she has a right to stay in. What is the ruling regarding this?
A: This notion is incorrect. It is compulsory for both the brother in law and sister in law to observe strict purdah from each other. The following hadith has commanded that purdah be observed between both the brother in law and sister in law.
Hazrat ‘Uqbah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Guard yourselves from entering upon women (who are unlawful for you).” An Ansaari Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) enquired, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! What about the brother-in-law?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “The brother-in-law is (like) death (i.e. much more precaution should be exercised from him).” (Saheeh Bukhaari # 5232)
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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