A woman's mahram men, who are close family members she is permanently prohibited from marrying, are allowed to see her without her hijab.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding Mahram
The term "mahram" refers to a person with whom marriage is permanently forbidden due to blood relation, marriage, or fosterage. These are the individuals in whose presence a woman does not need to observe hijab.
Categories of Mahram Men:
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Blood Relatives (Lineal Ascendants and Descendants):
- Father
- Grandfathers (both paternal and maternal)
- Sons
- Grandsons
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Brothers:
- Full Brothers
- Half-Brothers (both paternal and maternal)
-
Uncles:
- Paternal Uncles (father's brothers)
- Maternal Uncles (mother's brothers)
-
Husband's Male Relatives:
- Husband
- Husband's father
- Husband's grandfathers
- Husband's sons (from another marriage)
- Husband's grandsons (from another marriage)
-
Foster Relations: Individuals related through breastfeeding, with specific conditions according to Islamic jurisprudence. Generally, foster relatives have the same status as blood relatives in terms of mahram status. For instance, a foster brother is considered a mahram.
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Other Permanently Prohibited Relationships Through Marriage:
- Step-Father (husband of the woman's mother)
- Son-in-law (husband of the woman's daughter)
Important Considerations:
- Male Cousins (paternal and maternal) are not mahram. A woman must observe hijab in their presence.
- Non-Muslim relatives: The differing of opinions exist among scholars regarding whether non-muslim relatives have the same 'mahram' status. It is often recommended for muslim women to observe hijab from them as a precaution.
- Step-relatives: A step-father is considered a mahram because he is permanently prohibited from marrying the woman.
In Summary:
The individuals allowed to see a woman without her hijab are limited to her mahram men, primarily close male relatives whom she can never marry. This includes her father, grandfathers, sons, grandsons, brothers, uncles, step-father, father-in-law, and sons-in-law.
