`

How does Islam view In laws

how does islam view in laws

how does islam view in laws

Goodness extends to all mankind

Allah Almighty commanded us to be good to each other throughout the Quran and specifically in Surah Nisa, when he said:
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful. (4:36)

Are in laws the same as blood ties?

Allah Almighty has also commanded us to connect blood ties. What about in laws? There are many misconceptions about our relationship with our in laws.  Firstly, are they arham (your blood relatives) or not? Sometimes yes – if you married a cousin, then you are related to your in laws by blood as we as by being in laws. However if they are not blood relatives, Allah Almighty says they are your relatives by marriage, as in Surah Furqan:
And it is He who has created from water a human being and made him [a relative by] lineage and marriage. And ever is yours Lord competent [concerning creation]. (25:54)
Your in laws are not equal to your blood relatives. Nevertheless they are the family of your spouse and as such deserve respect and care. We have to be good to in laws without doubt. Treat them with respect, with kindness. They are closer to us than our neighbours, and our neighbours have been mentioned in the Quran with so many rights that the Prophet (peace be on him) said:
Jibril kept recommending me to treat my neighbour well until I thought that he would tell me to make him one of my heirs. (Bukhari)

Where do the rights of in laws end?

In the Asian community, when a woman gets married this is viewed culturally as a shift for her, from her original family to her new family. This shift regards her new family as the replacement of her original family, and a far greater priority than her own family. The new family is viewed as superior to her blood family.  This shift is entirely cultural and has no basis in Islam. That her in laws replace her parents is not from the shariah at all. There is nothing in the Quran or the sunnah to suggest that this is required of women. It is a totally baseless cultural practice. Your parents are your parents. They are your obligation. Not your in laws.

Visiting in laws

Is it an obligation for wives to visit her in laws? Are they sinful if they do not visit? It is not an obligation for women to visit their in laws. This does not mean they should not visit their in laws. But when asked whether it is an obligation or not, the answer is no. However we must bear in mind the general principle that we have to good relations with all people, and that includes in laws.

Serving in laws

It is not your obligation to serve your in laws. Your obligation is to serve your parents. However do your best and as much as possible to look after your in laws. We have to draw the line between what is cultural and what is Islamic. If one of your parents is ill, it is your obligation to look after them. It is not your obligation to look after your in laws. It is certainly recommended and rewarded. But not under the label of obligation.

Cultural oppression

I have come across many cases of acute psychological suffering among daughters in law. There are women who are terrified to leave their homes because they did not get permission from their mothers in law – as if they are five years old! There are many cases I have come across, where a woman’s parents are ill and her husband prevents her from visiting her parents because he wants her to look after his parents. Even when he has sisters! His sisters are princesses who are not willing to serve their own mother. They expect the daughter in law to serve their mother. This is a very abusive relationship. No. Her parents are her priority.

Reward and reciprocity

Of course you will be rewarded for being caring towards your mother in law, this is part of having good character and being kind. However this should be reciprocal and flow from both sides.

Change oppressive attitudes and move towards goodness

It takes time to digest this and try to change the deeply ingrained mentality of a community. When we understand the balance between our families and in laws it will minimise the problems and the suffering we have in our relationships. There is no competition between the families. There is superior or inferior. And the overriding sentiment should be to care for one another. When we reset our communities in accordance with Allah’s decree, instead of having a bitter relationship, we will have a sweet relationship because everyone will know their rights. Shaykh Haytham Tamim at the Ladies Tafseer Class in London on 29th Jan 2019


Jazakumullahu khayran for spending time learning with us. We need your support to enable us to reach more people and spread authentic knowledge. Every contribution big or small is valuable to our future.

‘If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect.’ (Muslim)

Help us promote a better understanding of Islam’s beautiful message of balance, moderation and tolerance.

Your support will help us make sacred knowledge accessible and empower people to improve themselves and their lives.

Related Posts 7 Tips on Making Marriage Work Divorce in Islam My Big Fat Asian Wedding – Culture vs Islam Anger Do not mistake staying in a bad marriage for sabr Are men superior to women in Islam? Saving a marriage when it is breaking down How to communicate with your spouse Can Muslims marry non-Muslims Intimacy in Islam How to be patient How does Islam view In-laws Can a man beat his wife in Islam? What are the limits of interaction between boys and girls
share

Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.