Date : 27-12-2011

Question :

Is it permissible for a husband to ban his wife from going to her sister`s house or vice versa, in case that affects their marital life and causes problems with his brother-in-law?


The Answer :

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.



Keeping ties with kin is a legal duty and a great matter in the Sight of Allah the Almighty, so a Muslim should take it seriously. Allah the Almighty Says (What means): "And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations". [Agreed upon]. A Muslim must avoid severing ties of kinship or helping others to do so, because The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Anyone who cuts off relationship from his nearest relatives will not enter Paradise." {Muslim}.



However, if keeping those ties leads to greater bane, then you can allow your wife to maintain those ties via telephone or short visits since the jurisprudential maxim, in this regard, states: "The easy thing shan't be waived by the difficult thing." It is better that you take reform initiative, even by seeking the intercession of the good people. Both spouses must fear Allah and treat one another with kindness. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.