Hijab from the husband’s brother

Question

(1) The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that for a woman the husband’s brother (his younger brother) is death. I do not know on what occasion this was said and what the intent of the statement is. Is it necessary for a woman to observe hijab from her husband’s brother after she is widowed, or is hijab from the husband’s brother necessary during the husband’s lifetime as well? (2) Several brothers live in one house together with their parents, and some houses are very small.

Answer

(1) Someone, upon the emphatic command of hijab, had asked whether hijab should be observed from the husband’s brother as well. To this it was said: “The husband’s brother is death” — the fear of fitna (temptation) is greater. Hijab should be observed from him both during the husband’s lifetime and afterwards. (2)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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