The Ruling on a Man Speaking with His Brothers' Wives

Here is a message sent by one of our listening brothers. His case is one that is frequently asked about, may Allah protect the Shaykh. Our brother is from al-Qunfudhah, and he indicated his name with the initials (H. M. 'A. Q). Our brother says in his case: Is it permissible for me to sit with my brothers' wives and talk to them, and to take them, for example, to the clinic or to their relatives' houses or to one of the kin? Then he also says: I have a wife, and I am absent from her for two or three weeks. In the state of being with her, whether the sitting is long or frequent, I do not talk to her, and only my brothers' wives serve me. He requests guidance from the Shaykh regarding this case?
Answer: The wives of brothers are not mahram (relatives one may not marry) to their husbands' brothers, and it is not permissible for him to be alone with any one of them, nor to take her alone to her relatives' house or to the clinic or the hospital; because being alone (khalwah) is prohibited. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and he said (peace and blessings be upon him): .
Therefore, it is obligatory for the brothers' wives to cover themselves and observe hijab, and not to expose their faces, nor any other of their beauties. Rather, they must cover themselves and observe hijab, and it is not permissible for him to be alone with any one of them. As for talking to them when they are gathered together, or in the presence of their husbands, there is no harm, provided there is covering and hijab, and no indecency in speech. That is to say: good, sound talk that contains no indecency is permissible. However, if he is alone with any one of them, or transports her to a hospital or elsewhere alone, it is not permissible; because this is among the causes of danger, and among the causes of Satan making what Allah has forbidden attractive. It is not permissible for a believer to expose himself to danger, thereby disobeying the Messenger of his Lord (peace and blessings be upon him) and falling into trial and suspicion. However, if there are two or three, and he is not alone with any one of them, there is no harm. If he takes two or three to their relatives or to a hospital without being suspected, without any doubt, there is no harm in that. Or if he talks to them or to the two of them, there is no harm in that due to the absence of being alone. Being alone is only with one person. Likewise, if there is suspicion, he should avoid the suspicion. If his brothers suspect him and are not pleased with him transporting their wives to their relatives' houses or to the hospital, he should not do that and should stay away from the causes of suspicion.
Likewise, regarding his wife, it is obligatory for him to treat her well and to use her, not to use his brothers' wives. He should use her, be gentle with her, and treat her well. He should talk to her and she should talk to him. Thus says Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He): : [al-Nisa:19], and He says (Glorified and Exalted is He): [al-Baqarah:228], and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
Therefore, it is obligatory for you, O questioner, to fear Allah and to treat your wife well, and to use her, and not to belittle her, and not to use your brothers' wives instead of her. Rather, use her, benefit from her, enjoy her, treat her well, and stay away from the causes of suspicion. May Allah guide everyone.
The presenter: May Allah protect the Shaykh! Perhaps Your Eminence remembers the fatwa you gave regarding the foreign driver and women, especially if they are within the cities. Some understood that it is permissible for the driver to take the woman, as long as he is within the city, and take her to the hospital or to the school or the like. I do not know, may Allah protect the Shaykh, is there any further clarification?
The Shaykh: The warning about this has been mentioned in some of the previous answers. That is that it is not permissible. It is not permissible for the driver to transport the woman to the hospital or to other than the hospital or to the school alone. Rather, he must have someone else with her; because being alone contains the great danger to which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) referred.
So the result is that being alone with a woman, whether in the house or in the car, is not permissible. It is obligatory for her people to be careful of this matter. Even if she is trustworthy, even if she is a teacher, she should not go alone. Satan may whisper between them at harmful times. It is obligatory that another woman be with her, or another man be with her, or the driver's mother, or the driver's wife, or someone else. There must be a third person with them so that being alone does not occur. Yes.
The presenter: Does the ruling also apply in the case of the in-laws?
The Shaykh: Yes, even the husband's brother. Yes, and the husband's uncle does not stay alone with her. As for his father, he is a mahram. His father and his son are mahram. Yes.
The presenter: And whether that is within the cities or outside of them?
The Shaykh: Yes, if it is travel, it is not permissible absolutely. But this is easier within the cities if there is a third person with them, there is no harm, even if the third person is not a mahram. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.