The Difference Between the Mothers of the Believers ﵅ and Other Mahrams

Question

Must one observe hijab with the women with whom nikah is haram — for example, a sister, a mother, a mother-in-law — or not? A certain man says that hijab is not to be observed with the mother-in-law, but this needs a proof, because nikah with the Pure Wives ﵅ is haram, yet there is also the command of the Exalted that observing hijab with them is necessary. So not observing hijab with the mother-in-law and observing hijab with the Pure Wives ﵅ appear to contradict each other.

Answer

The Pure Wives ﵅ also have certain particular features. They have been called the Mothers of the Believers ﵅: [ar]وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمْ[/ar] “…and his wives are their mothers…” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:6). But if they were deemed real mothers, this would require that hijab not be observed with them — whereas the verse of hijab was revealed specifically for them.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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