Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
In Islam, sitting with in-laws is allowed as long as modesty is observed, Khalwah is avoided, and interactions remain respectful. The Quran (24:61) permits communal eating, and there is no authentic evidence forbidding it. Cultural practices that enforce unnecessary separation should not be mistaken for Islamic law.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Sitting With In-Laws in Islam: What’s the Ruling?
In Islam, it is permissible for siblings and their spouses to eat together in a family setting without partitions. This is true as long as they respect Islamic modesty and etiquette.
There is no direct evidence in the Quran or authentic Sunnah that forbids this, so it falls under the rule: “The default ruling in matters is permissibility unless proven otherwise.”
Key Guidelines in Mixed Gatherings
- Observing Modesty and Islamic Etiquette
All individuals, whether mahram (permanently unmarriageable kin) or non-mahram, must maintain Islamic decorum in dress, speech, and behavior. Courteous interaction is fine, but flirtation or inappropriate joking is not allowed.
- Avoiding Khalwah (Seclusion)
Islam forbids a man and a non-mahram woman from being alone in private. However, eating with others at home or in a family gathering does not count as Khalwah and is permitted.
- Quranic Permission for Eating Together
The Qur’an states that eating together is lawful. Allah says:
{There is no blame upon you whether you eat together or separately…} (An-Nur, 24:61)
This verse supports communal eating and does not demand separation between men and women, leaving it to the broader principles of modesty.
- No Prohibition without Evidence
A key principle in Islam is: “Nothing is haram unless there is clear, authentic evidence to prohibit it.”
This means that declaring something sinful based on culture or assumptions is not valid. Unless there is clear proof from the Quran or Sunnah, it remains permissible.
- Cultural Norms vs. Religious Obligations
Some cultures prefer separating men and women during meals. While such customs can be respected, they should not be mistaken for Islamic law. The priority is maintaining Islamic boundaries without adding unnecessary restrictions that Allah did not impose.
Permissibility of Eating with In-Laws in Islam
In conclusion, eating together as an extended family, including siblings and their in-laws, is permissible in Islam as long as Islamic conduct and modesty are respected.
Physical partitions are not needed unless particular circumstances require them.
One should not call anything haram without clear and authoritative evidence, as this goes beyond the limits of Shari`ah. Allah says:
{Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good provisions?’} (Al-A`raf, 7:32)
Islam encourages a balance between modesty and natural, respectful family interaction. The aim is to live in a way that is both faithful to divine guidance and practical for daily life.
The traditions you have referenced do not apply to this issue, as they specifically address the prohibition of seclusion (khalwah), which is forbidden at all times.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that no man and woman, who are not closely related by blood or marriage, should be alone together; if they do, Satan will be the third party with them.
These fatwas provide further elaboration:
- Can Men and Women Attend Islamic Gatherings?
- Mixed Gatherings for Weddings: OK?
- Having Mixed Gatherings in the Community Center Next to the Mosque: Permissible?
- Is it Permissible to Wear Makeup to Women-Only Gatherings?
- Can Husband Prevent Wife from Attending Islamic Women’s Gatherings?
- What Are the Conditions of Accepting an Invitation in Islam?
Almighty Allah knows best.