A Case of Prohibition by Affinity Involving a Stepmother

Question

Before the nikah, Zayd’s wife loved Zayd’s son, and the son loved Zayd’s wife. At the time of the nikah Zayd asked: “You love my son and he loves you — how then can my nikah be permissible?” The woman swore an oath, and a very solemn oath at that, and said: “I love him with the love one has for one’s own child.” In short, the nikah took place and they began living in one house.

Answer

If Zayd never himself saw his son engaged with his wife in intercourse or in what leads to intercourse (dawa‘i al-jima‘), nor did anyone else see it; moreover, Zayd’s son states on oath that it never came to intercourse between him and Zayd’s wife, nor to what leads to it, that is, it never came to kissing or touching with desire; and Zayd’s wife likewise states on oath, and…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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