Touching one's female Mahaarim whilst in the state of ablution

23-3-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

If a person shakes hands with one of his female Mahaarim (non-marriageable relatives) like his mother or his wife, is his ablution invalidated?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

We have already clarified in Fatwa 85986 whether or not the ablution of a person who touches his wife is invalidated, so please refer to it.

As regards touching female Mahaarim (non-marriageable relatives), this does not invalidate ablution and there is no difference of opinion, as far as we know, among the scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them if this touching is without any desire. Nonetheless, the scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them differed in opinion if this touching is with a desire. Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee and Abu-Haneefah may Allaah have mercy upon them are of the view that it does not invalidate ablution, and this is a strong opinion in the Maaliki school, nonetheless, the Hanbali school, and this is also another opinion of the Maaliki school, are of the view that his ablution is invalidated. To conclude, the first view is the closest to the truth since the second is not substantiated.

Allaah Knows best.

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