The Paternal and Maternal Uncles of One’s Parents Are Among the Mahram
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[Deeds That Benefit the Parents]
Question: What are the deeds that benefit and are of use to parents, whether they are alive or deceased? Please inform us about this, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer: The deeds that benefit parents while they are alive are being dutiful to them and being kind to them in word and deed, and by providing for their needs in terms of financial maintenance, housing, and other necessities, as well as by keeping them company, speaking kindly to them, and serving them. This is the case during their lifetime.
And being kind to them in every word or deed, as the Exalted said: [Al-Isra: 23], especially when they grow old, or when one of them grows old in your presence. It is obligatory for the child to be gentle with them, to be kind to them, and to be good to them,As Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Isra: 23, 24]. It is obligatory for the child to be dutiful to his parents as long as they are alive, in all kinds of dutifulness that he is able to perform, especially when they reach old age, or when one of them reaches old age or weakness, and when they need the child for his service and assistance.
As for after their death, there remains from being dutiful to them: making supplication for them, giving charity on their behalf, performing Hajj and 'Umrah on their behalf, and paying off any debts they may have had, if they had debts. Maintaining family ties related to them is also part of this, as well as being kind to their friends, because this is something that pleases them and brings them comfort. Likewise, slaughtering the 'Id sacrifice on their behalf. These matters remain as part of being dutiful to parents after their death.
[The Paternal and Maternal Uncles of One’s Parents Are Among the Mahram]
Question: Is it permissible for a woman to uncover herself in the presence of her mother’s paternal uncle or her mother’s maternal uncle? And is it permissible for her to uncover herself in the presence of her father’s paternal uncle, or her father’s maternal uncle?Meaning: Are these people considered mahram to her,It was said to me: since this woman is considered one of their descendants, and they are ancestors? Therefore, are they among her mahram? Is this correct, O honorable Shaykh?
Answer: Yes, if your father has a full paternal uncle, whether from the father’s side or the mother’s side, or if he has a maternal uncle likewise, then he is among your mahram, because your father’s paternal uncle is your paternal uncle, and your father’s maternal uncle is your maternal uncle, and likewise your mother’s paternal uncle,Meaning: your father’s brother by blood, whether he is a full brother from the father or the mother, and likewise your maternal uncle by blood, meaning he is your mother’s brother, that is, he is your grandmother’s brother. Then he is your paternal uncle, or your maternal uncle, and he is a mahram to you.
As for your saying: They are ancestors. They are not ancestors, but they are from the extended family. They are merely paternal uncles to your ancestors, or maternal uncles to your ancestors. The ruling is the same, and they are mahram to you, as was told to you.
Question: What are the deeds that benefit and are of use to parents, whether they are alive or deceased? Please inform us about this, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer: The deeds that benefit parents while they are alive are being dutiful to them and being kind to them in word and deed, and by providing for their needs in terms of financial maintenance, housing, and other necessities, as well as by keeping them company, speaking kindly to them, and serving them. This is the case during their lifetime.
And being kind to them in every word or deed, as the Exalted said:
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment
وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًاWhether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (24) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."
إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُلْ رَبِّي ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًاAs for after their death, there remains from being dutiful to them: making supplication for them, giving charity on their behalf, performing Hajj and 'Umrah on their behalf, and paying off any debts they may have had, if they had debts. Maintaining family ties related to them is also part of this, as well as being kind to their friends, because this is something that pleases them and brings them comfort. Likewise, slaughtering the 'Id sacrifice on their behalf. These matters remain as part of being dutiful to parents after their death.
[The Paternal and Maternal Uncles of One’s Parents Are Among the Mahram]
Question: Is it permissible for a woman to uncover herself in the presence of her mother’s paternal uncle or her mother’s maternal uncle? And is it permissible for her to uncover herself in the presence of her father’s paternal uncle, or her father’s maternal uncle?Meaning: Are these people considered mahram to her,It was said to me: since this woman is considered one of their descendants, and they are ancestors? Therefore, are they among her mahram? Is this correct, O honorable Shaykh?
Answer: Yes, if your father has a full paternal uncle, whether from the father’s side or the mother’s side, or if he has a maternal uncle likewise, then he is among your mahram, because your father’s paternal uncle is your paternal uncle, and your father’s maternal uncle is your maternal uncle, and likewise your mother’s paternal uncle,Meaning: your father’s brother by blood, whether he is a full brother from the father or the mother, and likewise your maternal uncle by blood, meaning he is your mother’s brother, that is, he is your grandmother’s brother. Then he is your paternal uncle, or your maternal uncle, and he is a mahram to you.
As for your saying: They are ancestors. They are not ancestors, but they are from the extended family. They are merely paternal uncles to your ancestors, or maternal uncles to your ancestors. The ruling is the same, and they are mahram to you, as was told to you.