Question
Can one marry the step sister of one’s mother? Suppose if the mother of a boy and his aunt share their father but not mothers. The girl is younger than the boy and both are in love. They do not know when it started as they were brought up in a same house and have been living together since childhood. They do not do anything wrong and just love each other. The boy feels that he is in very painful situation. If it is not permissible for him to marry his aunt then how can he stop himself from thinking about her in this way? How will he be able to live a good life according to Islam?
Answer
According to the clear and decisive directives of the Qur’an the sister of one’s mother (khalah) cannot be taken into marriage. It does not make any difference whether the aunt (khalah) and mother of a boy have common father or mother or both. Marriage with one’s khalah is incest. Please note that it is not allowable in any religious tradition and any notable human culture. Now what if one develops such a feeling for one’s sister, mother, daughter, or khalah? I think he needs to understand that it is not only irreligious but immoral. He may never entertain such thoughts. If they continue to incur he should consult good psychologists or psychoanalyst. They may be of good help in this regard.
Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
Date: 2015-03-03
