Hijab/Women in Joined Families

[tor_khan]

What is the Islamic consensus (if any) on joined families?

Culture here reasonably coincides with common Islamic understanding on this issue which for most would be that traditionally a woman's "legitimacy" for living with her in-laws is her husband, and whilst she may have reasonable contact with her husband's brothers (especially if they are pre-adult), other key rules around "full" hijab need to be observed as they get older. A woman, for example, would not appear alone before her father-in-law, right - even to serve him dinner. Correct?

On a technical level, in a joined family situation, can a wife be left at home when the husband goes out to work?

I have a friend who argues that in the very real sense of observing hijab, Muslims should opt to live as nuclear families.

An interesting thought.

[Notorious Pashtana]

100% parda isn't possible in a joint family system, unless homes are built in a way where there are segregated portions for each family. I guess that'll mean the wife is at home alone, but not really alone. I don't think there is a problem with her being under the same roof if the husband isnt around provided there is no interaction with other male members, but then again, i'm no expert at the issue.

[tor_khan]

100% parda isn't possible in a joint family system, unless homes are built in a way where there are segregated portions for each family. I guess that'll mean the wife is at home alone, but not really alone. I don't think there is a problem with her being under the same roof if the husband isnt around provided there is no interaction with other male members, but then again, i'm no expert at the issue.

^It's precisely the way you word your last line that prompts the first question.

On a practical level, can the concept of joined families be *technically* challenged from an Islamic perspective??

[Notorious Pashtana]

if you go really deep into the issue then it's totally unacceptable to live under the same roof as male in laws. i heard or read somewhere that our Prophet SAW also had seperate sections for his wifes though in todays world the issue of privacy and parda is only male-female related, not female-female or male-male related.

[Baygham]

What is the Islamic consensus (if any) on joined families?

Culture here reasonably coincides with common Islamic understanding on this issue which for most would be that traditionally a woman's "legitimacy" for living with her in-laws is her husband, and whilst she may have reasonable contact with her husband's brothers (especially if they are pre-adult), other key rules around "full" hijab need to be observed as they get older. A woman, for example, would not appear alone before her father-in-law, right - even to serve him dinner. Correct?

On a technical level, in a joined family situation, can a wife be left at home when the husband goes out to work?

I have a friend who argues that in the very real sense of observing hijab, Muslims should opt to live as nuclear families.

An interesting thought.

lock her in the dungeon and when you come back only then shall the door be opened. That will keep allah and mullah both happy.

[Afghania]

What is the Islamic consensus (if any) on joined families?

Culture here reasonably coincides with common Islamic understanding on this issue which for most would be that traditionally a woman's "legitimacy" for living with her in-laws is her husband, and whilst she may have reasonable contact with her husband's brothers (especially if they are pre-adult), other key rules around "full" hijab need to be observed as they get older. A woman, for example, would not appear alone before her father-in-law, right - even to serve him dinner. Correct?

On a technical level, in a joined family situation, can a wife be left at home when the husband goes out to work?

I have a friend who argues that in the very real sense of observing hijab, Muslims should opt to live as nuclear families.

An interesting thought.

Salam O Alykum wrwb

Regarding your Question i am sorry i dont have Much ilm to say anything
there is a Fatwa site where you can check out this Question's Answer
(IslamQA)
as far as i've Learned Father in Law is a Mahram of a girl
in anycase he stays a Mahram
for Example :if the Husband dies and the girl marry another man then still her 1st Husband's father is her Mahram.

[Mujib]

In Muslim countries, like Afghanistan, "joined families" still practice separation. Husbands and their families will live in separate quarters from the in-laws. Hijab is observed between women and their brothers-in-law.

A father-in-law is a mahram of a woman.

There are several answers at SunniPath.com that deal with your questions (concerning a woman's rights to separate housing, living with in-laws, etc.). Search under "in-law" or other keywords in the Answers page at SunniPath.com

[Notorious Pashtana]

Father in law is Mahram but privacy and pardah isn't just about covering ones body infront of non-mahrams. I don't know whether the question is purely in terms of the physical hijab or a social one too?

[kakargirl]

In Muslim countries, like Afghanistan, "joined families" still practice separation. Husbands and their families will live in separate quarters from the in-laws. Hijab is observed between women and their brothers-in-law.

A father-in-law is a mahram of a woman.

There are several answers at SunniPath.com that deal with your questions (concerning a woman's rights to separate housing, living with in-laws, etc.). Search under "in-law" or other keywords in the Answers page at SunniPath.com

mashallah i agree with you, in afghnistan we have full parda system in even joined family but here too.

[kakargirl]

^It's precisely the way you word your last line that prompts the first question.

On a practical level, can the concept of joined families be *technically* challenged from an Islamic perspective??

wror its possible nothing is impossible but then again you have to work at it and remain very strict and humble and not get bored or arrogant with liberal thoughts,everything is possible as long as your willing to bear the hardship with it that means following rules, we managed it for years, i hardly ever see my uncles sons ,if they come over they are kept in separate mens quater of the house separate doorways so i say yes its possible but you have to be willing to follow rules.

[IamDZJ]

my father used to tell us stories of some type of afghan/pashtun women back home who would do pardah even from the men of their in laws..including father and brother in laws..it's not an islamic thing because i have read about rajistani women in india and pakistan doing the same...i think it was the nomad/kochies...
the term pardah is subjective so i would not conclude my opinion(hint hint) but father in law is mahram...