Q 1: Some husbands say to their wives, "I am your brother, and you are my sister." What is the ruling on that?

A: Sometimes a husband says to his wife, "I am your brother and you are my sister," or "you are my mother," or "like my mother," or "you are like a mother or sister to me". If he intends thereby he will honor and respect her like them, or if he has no particular intention and it is not accompanied by anything that indicates Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative), then this does not count as Zhihar and he does not have to make any Kaffarah (expiation). But if he intends Zhihar by such words, or they are accompanied by something that indicates Zhihar such as a state of anger or some threatening words, then it is Zhihar and it is Haram (prohibited). He must perform Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and make Kaffarah before he has sexual intercourse with her. The Kaffarah is to free a slave, and if this is not possible, then to fast for two consecutive months; if this is not possible as well, then to feed sixty poor persons. (Part No. 20; Page No. 275) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.