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:

Assalamu Alaikum,

A widow of 40 yrs. who is my wife`s sisters daughter and one year older than my wife and I am forty eight years old. I feel very pity for her after her husband died before one year and they were very close to us since 20 years. My wife is very much related with her since her childhood and played, studied and even after marriage also. There was no day left till today without a single phone call between them. After her husband deceased my wife is supporting her very much her needs. Now the problem is she needs a real support as she needs her daily life. My question is whether I am allowed to marry her as my wife has no objection to do so. My intention is purely in a good way since we know each other since long time. Otherwise we have to look for another, but she is agreed to have another marriage only if Iam ready to do so.

Expecting a proper and truthful reply abiding under islamic sharia.

Abdul Razak

(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:

Marry two sisters

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisas verse 23:

23 Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: your mother, daughters, sisters, father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's daughters, sister's daughters, foster-mothers (who gave you suck), foster-sisters, your wives' mothers, your step-daughters under your guardianship born of your wives to whom ye have gone in no prohibition if ye have not gone in, (those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins, and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) extended the impermissibility of marrying two sisters at one and the same time to include marrying an aunt and her niece at one and the same time; thus whatever the situation or condition, it would not be lawful in Shariah for a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to marry and keep an aunt and her niece both as his wives at one and the same time.

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