Muslims are prohibited from marrying specific individuals primarily due to reasons of consanguinity (blood relations), affinity (relations through marriage), fosterage (milk kinship), or religious difference.
Here's a breakdown:
1. Consanguinity (Blood Relations):
Muslims cannot marry close blood relatives. This is clearly defined in Islamic texts. The prohibited relations are:
- Mothers
- Daughters
- Sisters
- Paternal Aunts (father's sisters)
- Maternal Aunts (mother's sisters)
- Nieces (brother's daughters and sister's daughters)
This prohibition applies to both full and half-relations. For example, a Muslim man cannot marry his half-sister from his father's side or his half-sister from his mother's side.
2. Affinity (Relations Through Marriage):
Marriage creates specific prohibitions. Muslims cannot marry:
- Step-mothers (a father's wife)
- Daughters-in-law (a son's wife)
- Mother-in-law (wife's mother). However, this prohibition is created only when the marriage is consummated.
- Stepdaughters (a wife's daughter, if the marriage with the wife was consummated).
3. Fosterage (Milk Kinship):
In Islamic tradition, if a child is nursed by a woman who is not their biological mother, a "milk kinship" is established. The rules of consanguinity apply here as well. This means a Muslim cannot marry:
- Their foster mother
- Their foster sister (children nursed by the same woman)
4. Religious Difference:
Islamic law has specific regulations about marriage with non-Muslims.
- Muslim men are permitted to marry believing women from the People of the Book (primarily Jews and Christians). However, many scholars advise against marrying non-Muslims in contemporary times due to concerns about raising children according to Islamic principles, especially if living in a non-Muslim majority society.
- Muslim women are not permitted to marry non-Muslim men. This is a strict prohibition in Islamic law.
Summary Table:
| Category | Prohibited Relations |
|---|---|
| Consanguinity | Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Paternal Aunts, Maternal Aunts, Nieces (brother's and sister's daughters) |
| Affinity | Step-mothers, Daughters-in-law, Mother-in-law (after consummation), Stepdaughters (after consummation of the marriage with the mother) |
| Fosterage | Foster Mothers, Foster Sisters (children nursed by the same woman) |
| Religious Difference | Muslim women cannot marry non-Muslim men; Muslim men can marry believing women from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), although often discouraged |
In conclusion, Islamic law outlines specific categories of individuals who are prohibited from marriage to a Muslim, based on blood relations, marital relations, fosterage, and religious differences.
