[Q 303] Stepfather’s Mahram Status

Question

Is a stepfather classed as a Mahram for his stepdaughter?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

If the man has established marital relations with her mother, then yes, the stepfather is a Mahram of the stepdaughter as marriage between them is not permissible.

However, regarding the ruling on veiling (Hijab), if there is a fear of fitnah, then the stepdaughter should observe Hijab from her stepfather.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:

  وَ رَبَآىٕبُكُمُ الّٰتِیْ فِیْ حُجُوْرِكُمْ مِّنْ نِّسَآىٕكُمُ الّٰتِیْ دَخَلْتُمْ بِهِنَّ٘-فَاِنْ لَّمْ تَكُوْنُوْا دَخَلْتُمْ بِهِنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ٘

Translation: And the stepdaughters in your care, ˹born˺ of those ˹wives˺ with whom you have consummated marriage (are prohibited for you); however, if you have not consummated your marriage with them, then there is no harm in marrying their daughters.

(Surah al-Nisa verse no. 23)

It has been mentioned in al-Tafseer al-Kabir under this verse:

“اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ تَعَالَى نَصَّ عَلَى تَحْرِيم أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ صِنفًا مِنَ النِّسْوَانِ: —— وَبَنَاتُ النِّسَاءِ بِشَرْطِ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ دَخَلَ بِالنِّسَاءِ”

Translation: Know that Allah stipulated the prohibition (of marrying) 14 types of women: …and the daughters of (his) wives with the condition that he has consummated marriage with them.

(Tafsir al-Raazi, Mafatih al-Ghayb/Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, 32/10)

Answered by: Arslan Raza (Ask mufti scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer.

Date: 20th May 2024