Does using kinship terms for one's wife establish the ruling of Zihar?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Zihar

Book 42 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Using kinship terms such as 'sister' for one's wife does not establish the ruling of *Zihar*, and the wife does not become forbidden (*tahrum*) to him by this utterance. This is proven because the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not tell the speaker that his wife was forbidden to him. Furthermore, the utterance is neither explicit (*sarih*) in *Zihar* nor was it intended as such, thus the prohibition does not take effect.

Supporting text

The action of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he referred to Sarah as his sister to a tyrant is cited as evidence that such phrasing does not automatically constitute *Zihar*.