Yes, a woman can marry her step-brother in Islam.
Understanding Family Relations in Islamic Law
In Islamic law, the concept of family relations that prohibit marriage is very specific. It primarily revolves around two main factors: blood relations and foster relations.
Blood Relations
Blood relations include relatives such as parents, children, siblings, aunts, and uncles. These are family members with whom there is a direct blood tie, and marriage between them is strictly forbidden.
Foster Relations
Foster relations are created through breastfeeding. If a child is breastfed by a woman who is not their mother, the woman becomes their foster mother, and all her family members become the child's foster family. This establishes the same kinship as blood relations, which prohibits marriage.
Step-Siblings and Islamic Law
According to the provided reference, step-siblings do not fall under either of these categories. The reference states:
"Anyway, having a brother or a sister in Islam only happens in 2 ways. Either sharing a parent or being breastfed by the same woman. So a step-sister/brother is nothing in Islam law. So they can marry each other with no problem."
Key Points
- A step-brother is not considered a mahram (a relative with whom marriage is prohibited) under Islamic law.
- Step-siblings don’t share the same bloodline or a breastfeeding relationship which are the foundations for the establishment of the kinship laws that prohibit marriage.
- Therefore, marriage between a woman and her step-brother is permissible in Islam.
Summary
| Relationship | Permitted for Marriage? | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Siblings | No | Shared parents |
| Foster Siblings | No | Breastfed by the same woman |
| Step Siblings | Yes | Do not share bloodline or foster relation |
In conclusion, Islamic law does not prohibit marriage between step-siblings, including a woman and her step-brother.
