Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamualaikum wrwb,

Can u plz explain the following hadeeth in more detail. And particularly the phrase...`death itself`.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.159 Narrated by Uqba bin Amir

Allah`s Messenger (saws) said, "Beware of entering upon the (non-mehram) ladies." A man from the Ansar said, "O Messenger of Allah (saws)! What about ‘Al-Hamu’ (the non-mehram in-laws of the wife, like the brothers of her husband or their adult children, etc.)?" The Prophet (saws) replied: ‘The in-laws of the wife are death itself!!!

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Hamu relatives death itself

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The relation of ‘Al-Hamu’ (non-mehram male in-laws of the wife) are such that in-spite of being non-mehrams, they are such regular visitors to the house and are treated as such close relatives, that at times it is possible that the sanctity of the ‘hijaab’ with them is compromised.

Because of their proximity of relations, it is possible that the wife lets her guard down towards her ‘Hamu’ relatives, and one amongst them who possesses an evil heart is drawn towards her or his behavior gives rise to suspicion or accusation of developing an illicit relationship with the wife. The effect of such situations, suspicions, or accusations are so devastating that not only would it jeopardize the sacred relationship between a husband and a wife, but Allah forbid, it might even result in a brother becoming an enemy of his own brother!

That is precisely why the Messenger of Allah (saws) guided the believing woman to be extra careful in her dealings with her ‘Hamu’ relatives calling this relation death and destruction itself; never ever let her guard down with them, treat and behave with them exactly as she would with a non-mehram, never ever sit with them alone, or engage privately in vain or casual talk with them….but at all times, honor and scrupulously preserve the sanctity of the ‘hijaab’ with them.

A casual relationship with the ‘Al-Hamu’ relatives has the potential to give rise to suspicions and accusations, and not only jeopardize the sacred relationship between a husband and wife in marriage, but also the relationship of a brother with his own brother….that is precisely why the Messenger of Allah (saws) warned the believing woman to guard her honor and ‘hijaab’ with her ‘Hamu’ relatives as she would guard herself against death or destruction itself.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan