Is it permissible for me to greet the wives of my uncles, knowing that they have sons and daughters, with evidence?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for me to greet the wives of my uncles, knowing that they also have sons and daughters, with evidence?
The Shaykh : As for greeting them with words, there is nothing wrong with it; that is, if a man comes to his uncle’s or maternal uncle’s house and enters and greets these women, there is no blame on him. However, they must cover their faces and whatever must be covered to prevent fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is not permissible for him to greet them by shaking hands or kissing, because they are not among his mahram (a relative one may not marry). As for the wives of his father, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s father, there is nothing wrong with it. Likewise, the wives of his son, his son’s son, or his daughter’s son; it is permissible for him to greet all of these by shaking hands and kissing the head or forehead, provided he is safe from fitnah. If someone asks, “What is fitnah?” we say: fitnah is that he takes pleasure in it or enjoys it, or that his desire is aroused by it. If the matter is thus, he must stay away from what has been permitted to him.
The Shaykh : As for greeting them with words, there is nothing wrong with it; that is, if a man comes to his uncle’s or maternal uncle’s house and enters and greets these women, there is no blame on him. However, they must cover their faces and whatever must be covered to prevent fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is not permissible for him to greet them by shaking hands or kissing, because they are not among his mahram (a relative one may not marry). As for the wives of his father, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s father, there is nothing wrong with it. Likewise, the wives of his son, his son’s son, or his daughter’s son; it is permissible for him to greet all of these by shaking hands and kissing the head or forehead, provided he is safe from fitnah. If someone asks, “What is fitnah?” we say: fitnah is that he takes pleasure in it or enjoys it, or that his desire is aroused by it. If the matter is thus, he must stay away from what has been permitted to him.