Is it true that it is not permissible for a husband to say to his wife's father, "My uncle," and to her mother, "My aunt," and likewise for the wife?
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The questioner : O Shaykh (may Allah preserve him), is it true that it is not permissible for a husband to say to his wife's father: "My uncle," and to his wife's mother: "My aunt"? And likewise for the wife?
The Shaykh : If it is in the context of honor, there is no harm, such as saying: "O uncle" when addressing him, or "O maternal uncle," or "O aunt" or "O maternal aunt" when addressing them. This is in the context of honor and there is no harm with it. However, if he describes them as being a maternal uncle or a paternal uncle, this has not come in the Qur'an or the Sunnah that the wife's father is a paternal uncle or maternal uncle, or that the wife's mother is a paternal aunt or maternal aunt. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Mishkat al-Masabih 631, 632 The Bedouins call the 'Isha prayer "Al-Atamah" because they stay up with their camels, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to call it "Al-'Isha" because that is what came in the Book of Allah: [An-Nur 24:58] So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us that words are not to be used except for their legal meaning.
Often a person comes to you asking, saying: "My maternal uncle said..." or "My paternal aunt said..." and the questioner assumes that they are maternal uncles and paternal aunts by blood relation. The important point is that the answer is: if that is when addressing them, saying to his wife's father: "O uncle" or "O paternal uncle," there is no harm. But if it is when speaking about him and reporting, then that is not recommended. However, prohibition is a difficult matter. Yes.
The questioner : There is a question... regarding... should I continue with them or not?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is finished. Your topic is now finished. As long as you performed 'Umrah and slaughtered the hady, your topic is finished. What remains for you is only Hajj next year, if Allah wills. As for now, you are normal, in your normal state.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you. No, no, just one question.
The questioner : O Shaykh (may Allah preserve him).
The Shaykh : Meaning, we grant a dispensation.
The questioner : Yes, may you live long.
The Shaykh : Fine, that is enough.
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : If it is in the context of honor, there is no harm, such as saying: "O uncle" when addressing him, or "O maternal uncle," or "O aunt" or "O maternal aunt" when addressing them. This is in the context of honor and there is no harm with it. However, if he describes them as being a maternal uncle or a paternal uncle, this has not come in the Qur'an or the Sunnah that the wife's father is a paternal uncle or maternal uncle, or that the wife's mother is a paternal aunt or maternal aunt. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
do not let the Bedouin take away from you the name of your prayer al-‘isha
لا يغلبنكم الأعراب على صلاتكم العشاءO you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِيَسْتَأْذِنْكُمُ الَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحُلُمَ مِنْكُمْ ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ صَلاةِ الْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُمْ مِنَ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنْ بَعْدِ صَلاةِ الْعِشَاءِOften a person comes to you asking, saying: "My maternal uncle said..." or "My paternal aunt said..." and the questioner assumes that they are maternal uncles and paternal aunts by blood relation. The important point is that the answer is: if that is when addressing them, saying to his wife's father: "O uncle" or "O paternal uncle," there is no harm. But if it is when speaking about him and reporting, then that is not recommended. However, prohibition is a difficult matter. Yes.
The questioner : There is a question... regarding... should I continue with them or not?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is finished. Your topic is now finished. As long as you performed 'Umrah and slaughtered the hady, your topic is finished. What remains for you is only Hajj next year, if Allah wills. As for now, you are normal, in your normal state.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you. No, no, just one question.
The questioner : O Shaykh (may Allah preserve him).
The Shaykh : Meaning, we grant a dispensation.
The questioner : Yes, may you live long.
The Shaykh : Fine, that is enough.
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.