Can My Brother-In-Law Be My “Mahram” for a Trip?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

I am a 22 year old woman and this year I have applied for Hajj and I have planned to go with my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law.

Can they be my mahram? Can I get a visa?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

No, your brother-in-law is not from your unmarriageable kin (mahram). This is because a mahram is somebody whom it is impermissible for you to ever marry, and this does not apply to your brother-in-law.

Godfearing scholars have stated that women may travel as long it is safe and dignified for them to do so. It is, however, often recommended to perform the pilgrimages with a mahram as fulfilling the rites can get difficult.

As for the specific visa process, you’ll need to consult with your local travel agents to see what the current process is.

[Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha fi al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha (56-57)]

Please see: Who is Mahram

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.