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Fatwa CenterMaintaining proper relations with sisters-in-law who live with him
Question
I am a practicing Muslim of Ahl Sunnah wal hamdulillah. I am revert and married with two kids. Two of my sisters-in-law live with me as they are attending college in our city far away from their home town. All are good Muslims. I only give them salaam and I never sit to talk with them as they are grown, 18 and 20 years. They are shy as much as I am and we never talk unless on necessity. My wife and I are happy with that as well as the sisters. Some other relatives of knowledge think we are extremists and ask how can we live together and not talk and I hardly know their faces because I never gaze at them? We always wear hijab in our home so that I don't interfere with them and our house is spacious, Alhamdulillah. I don't really know whether I am extreme in this behavior because all I intend is to avoid Fitnah and temptations: We are human beings and I always pray for my family that Allah keeps us safe from Fitnah. But my brother in-law is one of them who think I am extreme and yet he is a graduate of Shariah and should know better. Please advise me.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
First of all, we ask Allah to increase your zeal in doing good and to make us and you remain firm and steadfast on his religion until we meet Him.
Indeed you did well by abiding by the Shariah requirements in dealing with your sisters in-law, as they are alien to you. There is no doubt that it is not permissible to speak with an alien woman unless the religious requirements are met, like wearing Hijab for the woman, not being in seclusion with her and the like.
Talking to women always leads the man to be attracted to them especially nowadays: That is why it is more appropriate to stay away from this except in case of need.
Therefore, you behaved appropriately and in accordance with the Shariah. May Allah reward you and them for that.
So, do not take into consideration those who tell you that this is extremism just to criticize you.
This is not extremism, but it is abiding by the Shariah.
We advise the people who criticize you, and especially your brother in-law, to fear Allah and to help others in being steadfast on the religion of Allah instead of blaming and criticizing them.
Allah knows best.
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