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Touching a Younger Brother

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I have a younger brother. He kisses and sucks my breast, and I kiss his belly
and suck his nipple as sign of caress. Is it permissible?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

While it may not be sinful in the manner you described it, it would be better to disengage this practice.

The ‘Awra of a Lady Before Siblings

The Jurists have stated that it is permissible for a lady to show her neck and chest to her mahrams, and what is permissible to look at would also be permissible to touch. For example, it is permissible for a brother to hold his sisters hand in the absence of anything inappropriate.

The issue here is that, in all Muslims cultures, a lady’s chest is not generally shown to the siblings, and people would go to great lengths to avoid this. Mere legal permissibility does not mean approval. There Shari’a recognises valid cultural practices which support – not contradict – its principles.

Here, the promotion of modesty would be the underlying cultural impetus. Also, mere legal permissibility does not mean promotion and approval.

(Marghinani, al Hidaya; Ibn ‘Abidin, Nashr al ‘Urf)

I hope that helps.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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