What is the ruling on a brother’s wife sitting with the family at specific times, such as lunch or dinner, given that her husband is present with us?

The questioner : He says: What is the ruling on a brother’s wife sitting with the family at specific times, such as lunch or dinner, given that her husband is present with us, and that the father, mother, and brothers are all with us, but she covers her entire body except for her face and hands only? May Allah bless you and bestow His blessings upon you?

The Shaykh : Yes. We see that the family gathering for food is not a problem, but they should not be at the same table; rather, the women should be on one side and the men on the other, even if it is the same place. As for them sitting at the same table, we do not see that at all, because it is not possible for a woman to eat without uncovering her face, and if she uncovers her face in front of her husband’s brother, or his uncle, or the like, fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) will occur. Do not belittle any evil; how many people consider it entirely unlikely that fitnah would occur between them and their brother’s wife, but Satan may sow discord between them. Look at the words of the most wise of creation (peace and blessings be upon him) when he said: What is this phrase? It is a warning: And the meaning is: flee from it as you would flee from death. As for the one who says, “The in-law is death,” meaning that it is unavoidable, this is a mistake. Everyone knows that the intended meaning of this phrase is to deter. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) placed the in-law in the position of death, and that one must flee from him, because the in-law, who is a relative of the husband, when he enters the home of his relative, people do not find it objectionable for him to do so, and he also does not feel shy when he opens the door and enters. Therefore, one must be cautious of the husband’s relatives, and the woman should be on her guard against them, and fear the provocations of Satan.