Who is Forbidden to Marry in Islam?

Sunday, April 06, 2025

Marriage, the act of a man or woman taking a spouse, is achieved through the marriage contract and its conditions. However, in Islam, marriage with certain individuals is forbidden. Stay with us at Saadnews for more information.

Who is Forbidden to Marry in Islam?

In Islam, marriage with certain individuals is prohibited. The importance of marriage and family formation in Islam is so great that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) repeatedly emphasized it in various hadiths. Marriage itself is recommended for those who desire it, and for those who do not, it is said to be disliked, but it becomes obligatory if there is a fear of committing sin by not marrying. The legitimacy of a marriage depends on the individual with whom the marriage bond is made; it can either be prohibited, such as marriage with close relatives (mahram), disliked, such as marriage with a sterile person or an alcoholic, or recommended, such as marrying a virgin, chaste, fertile, and obedient woman.

Forbidden Marriages in Islam:

  1. Marriage with blood relatives: The following relationships are prohibited for marriage, regardless of whether the kinship arises from legitimate or illegitimate relations:

    • Marriage with one’s father, grandfather, mother, or grandmother, no matter how far the lineage extends.

    • Marriage with one's children, regardless of how far down the line.

    • Marriage with one's siblings, including their descendants, no matter how far down.

    • Marriage with one’s aunts or uncles, whether on the paternal or maternal side.

  2. Marriage through breastfeeding (Rada'a): Marriage with relatives through breastfeeding is prohibited, provided the following conditions are met:

    • The breastmilk must come from a legitimate source.

    • The child must have directly sucked the milk from the breast.

    • The child must have consumed the milk for at least one full day or 15 consecutive feedings without consuming other food or milk from another woman.

    • The breastfeeding must have occurred before the child’s second year.

    • The milk must come from the same woman and the same husband.

  3. Marriage with in-laws: Marriage with the following people is also prohibited due to the in-law relationship:

    • A man cannot marry his mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law (both maternal and paternal).

    • A man cannot marry a woman who was previously married to his father or any of his ancestors, even if the relationship is through breastfeeding.

    • A man cannot marry his daughter-in-law, or any of his wife’s daughters, regardless of the degree.

  4. Marriage with two sisters simultaneously is forbidden, even if through a temporary marriage contract.

  5. Marriage with a woman already married to another is forbidden, especially if the person is aware of her marital status.

  6. Marriage with a woman during her waiting period (iddah) is forbidden. This period is the time a woman must wait after the death of her husband or after divorce before she can remarry.

  7. Marriage to a Muslim woman by a non-Muslim is prohibited in Islam.

  8. A marriage with a woman who is still in her waiting period (iddah) from her former husband is also prohibited.

These are some of the prohibitions in marriage according to Islamic law, which emphasizes maintaining purity and preventing relationships that may lead to forbidden actions or conflict with moral values.