There is a matter that has always occupied my mind and which I have not forgotten for many years

The questioner : There is a matter that has always occupied my mind and which I have not forgotten for many years. It is that I appeared before the judge to give my testimony to prove inheritance, and my testimony was one hundred percent sound. However, when the judge asked me, “Is so-and-so, the owner of the case, a relative of yours?” I said explicitly, “No, he is my neighbor,” meaning he is a neighbor of mine. The truth is that he is my neighbor, but at the same time, he is my wife’s father. The question is: Is the wife’s father considered a relative of the husband or not? Please note that I said, “No, he is my neighbor,” and my intention was that the case not be delayed, as its parties were waiting for it and might be upset with me if I stated that the owner of the case is my wife’s father. Please advise us on this matter. May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : Your statement to the judge when he asked you if he was a relative of yours, saying “No,” does not mean that he is not a relative of yours. This is a true statement and contains no lying, for the wife’s father is not a relative of her husband, but rather her husband’s in-law, the father of his wife. And your statement that he is your neighbor is true. Therefore, do not let this matter occupy your mind, for it is truth and honesty. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you. This is a message that reached the program from the listener Muhammad Abdullah from Aden.