Question
posed to Sheikh ‘Uthaimeen (رحمه الله):
We
know that the paternal uncle of the woman is from the Mahaarim
(non-marriageable male relatives), those whom it’s permissible for her to
uncover in front of. However, what is the case when the paternal uncle of the
woman jokes with her with indecent jokes, is it permissible for her not to kiss
him due to his indecent joking (with her)?
Answer:
If the paternal uncle jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s doubtful, it is not permissible for them to go to him nor uncover their faces in front of him. That’s due to the fact that the scholars who allow that the woman can uncover her face in front of the Mahram make it a condition that there’s no Fitnah. And this man that jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s evil, this means it’s feared that some fitnah will come upon them from him. And that which is obligatory is that one keeps far away from the causes of Fitnah.
If the paternal uncle jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s doubtful, it is not permissible for them to go to him nor uncover their faces in front of him. That’s due to the fact that the scholars who allow that the woman can uncover her face in front of the Mahram make it a condition that there’s no Fitnah. And this man that jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s evil, this means it’s feared that some fitnah will come upon them from him. And that which is obligatory is that one keeps far away from the causes of Fitnah.
