The misuse of terms that we encounter in society is particularly prevalent in terms of fiqh. Many people refer to muhrim when they actually mean mahram, or vice versa. Mahram refers to someone who is permanently forbidden to marry and can accompany you on a journey.
This misunderstanding arises because the words are similar, but in terms of meaning:
– Mahram is a person who has a blood relationship, is related through breastfeeding, or is related by marriage, making it forbidden to marry them permanently (for example, father, sibling, uncle from the father’s/mother’s side).
– Muhrim is a person who is in a state of ihram while performing the hajj or umrah.
This mistake can lead to miscommunication and even obscure important meanings in Islamic law. Interestingly, many who have converted and have a deeper understanding of fiqh sometimes still slip up with this term—because they are so used to it.
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- What is Mahram?
According to Islamic law, mahram are people who are forbidden to marry due to ties of kinship (lineage), radha’ah (breastfeeding), or musharah (marriage). Understanding the concept of mahram is very important in order to establish the boundaries of social interaction that are regulated in Sharia law in order to maintain honor and preserve relationships.
- Mahram due to Nasab (Lineage, these people are permanently forbidden to marry/mahram muabbad, as mentioned in QS. An-Nisa: 23)
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ اُمَّهٰتُكُمْ وَبَنٰتُكُمْ وَاَخَوٰتُكُمْ وَعَمّٰتُكُمْ وَخٰلٰتُكُمْ وَبَنٰتُ الْاَخِ وَبَنٰتُ الْاُخْتِ وَاُمَّهٰتُكُمُ الّ
who breastfed you, and your sisters through breastfeeding, and the mothers of your wives, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are in your custody, and the wives of your brothers who are who you have entered into marriage with; but if you have not entered into marriage with them, then there is no sin on you; and the wives of your sons who are from your loins, and that you should not marry two sisters at the same time, except for what has already passed; and Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. your relatives, and it is not lawful for you to marry two sisters at the same time, except for what has already passed. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. Meaning: It is forbidden for you to marry your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father’s sisters, your mother’s sisters, your brothers’ daughters, your sisters’ daughters, your foster mothers, your foster sisters, your wives’ mothers (your mother-in-law), the daughters of your wives (stepdaughters) who are under your care from wives you have had sexual relations with, but if you have not had sexual relations with your wife (and have divorced her), there is no sin on you (in marrying her), (and it is forbidden for you) to marry the wives of your biological children (daughters-in-law), and (it is also forbidden) to marry two sisters, except (in cases that occurred in the past). Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
- Mothers and grandmothers from the father’s or mother’s side
- Daughters and granddaughters
- Sisters (from the same father, mother, or womb)
- Aunts on the father’s side (’ammah) and mother’s side (khalah)
- Nieces from brothers or sisters
- Mahram due to Radha’ah (Breastfeeding) The relationship of breastfeeding has the same ruling as nasab, if the breastfeeding fulfills the sharia requirements:
- The wet nurse and the grandmother of the wet nurse
- Sisters through breastfeeding
- Children of the nursing mother if there is a breastfeeding relationship
- Mahram due to Musaharah (Marriage Relationship) They become mahram through marriage:
- Mother-in-law
- Daughter of the wife (if she has been consummated)
- Wife of the son (daughter-in-law)
- Stepmother
Read also: This is Islam’s View on Getting Married in the Month of Suro or Muharram, Is it Permissible?
The context of social relationships & social boundaries. Understanding who is considered mahram has a direct impact on social interactions according to Islam. With mahram, a person is allowed to:
- Be alone (berduaan) without violating sharia law
- Travel together
- See parts of the body that are not considered aurat (such as the head and hair)
Conversely, with non-mahrams, the following restrictions apply:
- It is forbidden to be alone together
- It is forbidden to touch skin without a shar’i need
- It is forbidden to look at the aurat, except in emergency situations and within certain limits
- What is Muhrim?
In the context of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, muhrim is a term that refers to a person who is performing ihram, that is, someone who has entered into a state of intention and is wearing ihram clothing as a sign of beginning the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. This word comes from the Arabic iḥrām, which means to enter a state of purity with certain prohibitions.
In practice, a muhrim must refrain from prohibited activities during ihram, such as cutting their nails, shaving their hair, wearing perfume, and having sexual relations with their spouse. Therefore, the use of the word muhrim is only appropriate in the context of Hajj or Umrah, not in discussions of family relationships or marriage.
- The Difference Between Mahram and Muhrim
Mahram and muhrim sound similar but have very different meanings and contexts:
– Mahram is a person who is forbidden to marry due to blood relations, breastfeeding, or marriage. Examples include fathers, siblings, uncles from the mother’s or father’s side, in-laws, and stepchildren (if a marital relationship has occurred with the mother).
– Muhrim is a person who is performing the pilgrimage or umrah.
A common mistake that often occurs in society is referring to someone as “muhrim” when what is actually meant is mahram. For example, the sentence “Hey, we are not muhrim” should be said as “you are not my mahram”. This mistake seems trivial, but it can lead to misunderstandings in understanding Sharia law.
- Why is it important to understand this difference?
Understanding the difference between mahram and muhrim is not just a matter of language, but also a matter of accuracy in speech and understanding Sharia law. Misuse of terms can lead to misunderstandings and cause errors in worship practices and social etiquette.
In a social context, the correct use of terms shows a proper understanding of Islamic teachings. For example, in maintaining boundaries between men and women, knowing who is considered mahram is very important so as not to violate sharia boundaries. Meanwhile, in the pilgrimage or umrah, understanding who is considered muhrim (in the sense of being in a state of ihram) helps maintain the solemnity and purity of worship. (Diandra/Syafira)