🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #17

Is a brother-in-law mahram or not?

No; a brother-in-law is not a mahram for the wife, so modesty (ʿawrah) and the limits of interaction must still be observed.
The Prophet ﷺ gave a stern warning about in-laws, saying that the in-law is death, because his close position in the family makes temptation easier. A wife may not be alone (khalwat) with her brother-in-law and must cover her ʿawrah in front of him. The same applies to a husband with his sisters-in-law. This matters when living in the same house as the extended family. See Mahram.

Sources

Sahih al-Bukhari 5232Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-SalamSurah an-Nur 24:31

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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