The Ruling on Embracing Mahrams

Question:
Is it permissible to embrace and meet with a maternal aunt, or a paternal aunt, or someone similar to them?

Answer:
Yes, they are mahrams. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when his daughter Fatimah would enter upon him, he would stand up to her, take her hand, and kiss her. When his maternal aunt, or his mother, or his paternal aunt, or his sister would enter upon him, if he stood up to her and greeted her, shook her hand, or embraced her, there is nothing wrong with that.

Question : What about his uncle’s wife?

Answer: No, his uncle’s wife is not a mahram.

The student : What about meeting her?

Answer: His uncle’s wife, his brother’s wife, and his maternal uncle’s wife are not mahrams for him. He should only greet her with words, without shaking hands and without embracing, just with words, meaning, “How are you, so-and-so? How are the children? How is my uncle? How is my maternal uncle?” As for kissing her or shaking her hand, no.

Question : Is meeting her not permissible?

Answer: Meeting differs. Meeting with words is fine, provided she is veiled and covered. But meeting her by shaking hands, or embracing, or kissing, no.