Marriage is not allowed in Islam with specific categories of relatives due to consanguinity (blood relation), affinity (marriage relation), and fosterage (milk relation). These prohibitions are designed to protect family structures and maintain social boundaries.
Prohibited Marriages Due to Consanguinity (Blood Relation)
Islam prohibits marriage with the following blood relatives:
- Ascendants:
- Mother
- Grandmother (both paternal and maternal)
- Descendants:
- Daughter
- Granddaughter (both son's and daughter's daughters)
- Siblings:
- Sister (full, half-sister from the same father, or half-sister from the same mother)
- Aunts and Uncles:
- Paternal Aunt (father's sister)
- Maternal Aunt (mother's sister)
- Nieces and Nephews:
- Brother's daughter
- Sister's daughter
- Further descendants of any of the above: Marriage is also prohibited with any direct descendant of the above relatives.
Prohibited Marriages Due to Affinity (Marriage Relation)
Affinity refers to relationships created through marriage. The following marriages are prohibited:
- Ascendants of Spouse:
- Mother-in-law
- Grandmother-in-law
- Descendants of Spouse (from a previous marriage):
- Stepdaughter (only if the marriage has been consummated with her mother)
- Grand-stepdaughter
- Spouse of Ascendant:
- Stepmother (father's wife)
- Grand-stepmother
- Spouse of Descendant:
- Daughter-in-law (son's wife)
- Granddaughter-in-law
Prohibited Marriages Due to Fosterage (Milk Relation)
In Islam, fosterage creates a similar relationship as blood relation. If a child is breastfed by a woman who is not their mother, the foster mother and her relatives become equivalent to blood relatives in terms of marriage prohibitions.
- The foster mother is considered a mother.
- The foster mother's husband is considered a father.
- The foster mother's children are considered siblings.
- All the blood relatives of the foster mother become relatives to the fostered child and marriage to them is prohibited the same way as with blood relatives.
Important Note: These prohibitions are detailed in the Quran and Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Understanding these rules is crucial for Muslims to ensure their marriages are valid according to Islamic law.
