Q: Would you be kind enough to enlighten us of the dangers and the gravity of free mixing between cousins and between brother-in-law and sister-in-law as this is common amongst Indo-Pak families. What does Shar’iah say about this please? In fact, it is considered a part of courtesy and maintaining family relations to the extent that bearded men with topi and kurta are freely mixing with their female cousins and sister in laws, sometimes out of choice and many times due to a feeling of being compelled to do so, otherwise they will be ostracised and considered rude by their family. Some argue as a justification that it is only family or that she is like my sister or he is like my brother. How does one trying to be religious deal with these situations and can you enlighten us on how grave this sin is as many of my family, by their actions, consider it trivial?
A: Refer to http://muftionline.co.za/node/419
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)