Rights Of A Stepmother

QUESTION:

My mother passed away and my dad remarried someone from India. My stepmother moved to South Africa and resided with us. Subsequently, my father passed on. My stepmother completed her Iddah at our house. Without asking her to leave, we assumed that once her permit expired, and considering the fact that she has no family or Mahaarim here, she would move back to India. She is financially independent and also has a myriad of family support back home.

Despite us caring for her, my stepmother took offense to the suggestion of her moving out and painted a picture of us treating her badly and being unwilling to assist her with an extension of her permit, which was all untrue. Our living situation has become toxic and unbearable due to her false claims against us. Please advise us on how to resolve this matter.

ANSWER:

From the outset, we advise that you contact a senior Aalimah or Aapa in your area and request her to speak to your stepmother on your behalf. Since she does not have any Mahram here in South Africa, she must go back to her relatives and Mahaarim in India. In the light of Shari’ah, she is unjustified in what she is doing and claiming.

قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَأُحِلَّ لَكُمْ مَا وَرَاءَ ذَلِكُمْ) (النساء آ 24)

عنه

يعني ما سوى المحرمات المذكورات في الآيات السابقة، وخص عـ بالسنة والإجماع والقياس يعني ما ذكرنا من المحرمات في الشرح وما فوق الأربع من النساء أن تبتغوا أي تبتغو هن يعني ما وراء ذلكم من النساء بأموالكم بنكاح (التفسير المظهري 2/272)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 21 Shawwaal 1447 / 10 April 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb