Are the paternal and maternal aunts of one's wife considered Mahrams?
The wife's maternal and paternal aunts are not mahrams to the husband. They are like unmarriageable women (ajanib), so it is not permissible for him to be in seclusion with them or to shake their hands. The prohibition of marrying a woman and her paternal or maternal aunt concurrently does not mean they are mahram; the prohibition specifically concerns combining them under the marital bond of one man, and it is not a prohibition against marrying one of them after separating from the wife. Lenience in interaction may lead to divorce or the cutting off of kinship ties. Therefore, it is not permissible for the wife's paternal aunt to uncover her face to the husband or to shake his hand.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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