Is my wife's mother required to veil herself from me? I tried to convince her that it is permissible for me to greet her, but my wife (her daughter) told me that she is shy and very modest, and it has been more than two years since she has spoken to me except by phone.
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The questioner : Is my wife's mother required to veil herself from me? I tried to convince her that it is permissible for me to greet her, but my wife, meaning her daughter, told me that she is shy and very modest. Now, it has been nearly two years since she has spoken to me except by telephone?
The Shaykh : In any case, there is no doubt that the wife's mother is a mahram (a relative one may not marry), and she has the right to uncover her face and hands and to speak with her daughter's husband. However, if she is shy, there is no blame on her in that, because leaving permissible things out of shyness or modesty, or because the soul finds them repulsive, is not a problem. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left eating the zub fish, even though it is lawful, because it was not in the land of his people, so he found it repulsive (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him).
The Shaykh : In any case, there is no doubt that the wife's mother is a mahram (a relative one may not marry), and she has the right to uncover her face and hands and to speak with her daughter's husband. However, if she is shy, there is no blame on her in that, because leaving permissible things out of shyness or modesty, or because the soul finds them repulsive, is not a problem. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left eating the zub fish, even though it is lawful, because it was not in the land of his people, so he found it repulsive (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him).