Islamic Rulings - Living Shariah Verdicts

Islamic Questions & Answers

Should the wife observe hijab in front of the maternal uncle and paternal uncle of her husband? There are some people who say with regard to what is meant by the words of Allah in the verse on hijab, "…their fathers, their husbands' fathers..." [an-Noor 24:31] that the woman's "fathers" include her father and grandfather, and her paternal uncle and maternal uncle. So do their husbands' fathers include the father of the husband and his grandfather, paternal uncle and maternal uncle?

Praise be to Allah.

No; the paternal uncle and maternal uncle of the husband are not mahrams; rather she cannot uncover in front of the husband's paternal uncle and maternal uncle, or the husband's brother who is closer to him. Rather the words of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted), "and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers" [an-Noor 24:31] refer to fathers and grandfathers, which does not include paternal uncles or maternal uncles.

The one who says that they are included is mistaken; rather the fathers are the fathers and grandfathers, no matter how far the line of ascent reaches. As for the husband's paternal uncle, maternal uncle and brother, they are "strangers" and are not mahrams, so she cannot uncover in front of them; rather she must observe hijab in front of them. Neither the maternal uncle, paternal uncle or brother of the husband are mahram to her. Rather the only ones who are her mahrams are the husband's father and grandfather, the husband's son, and the son of the husband's son or daughter (i.e., his grandsons). The husband's father and his paternal and maternal grandfathers are mahrams, as are the husband's sons and the sons of his sons and daughters. All of them are mahrams to his wife. End quote.

Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him).

Source: Fataawa Noor 'Ala Al-Darb, 2/903.