Amica
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Aren't mahram and non-mahram relationships to be defined culturally? While the Qur'an was initially referred to Arabs, I can understand why Qur'an specifies who is mahram and who is not. So, in the context of Arabic culture one can marry one's aunt's son/daughter. Well, in many there countries of the world such is unacceptable. One example is Bosnia.
Bosnian Muslims have traditionally maintained strong family ties with immediate as well as extended family. And, as per cultural norms, marrying one's cousin is not acceptable. While people understand that the Qur'an allows cousins marrying, people still do not abide by that, if you will, privilege. Suddenly, after the war, we are seeing people cutting family ties with aunts and uncles because in their view now that they are more religious the uncles and aunts are not mahram (family) anymore. I think this is so absurd and truly sad state of affairs. I would never ever marry my uncle's son. In fact, we call each other brother and sister. My uncle's son I used to call half-brother when I was little and he called me half-sister (even though we do not share any of the parents biologically). And that is how we introduced each other to people. So, how would I to even think marrying my half-brother?
If the permission to marry cousins was meant as commandment, Allah SWT would not say "permission is given," but rather it would be: you are commanded. And Qur'an, based on my limited understanding, is not commanding such practice. So, why do some people make it seem sinful if family ties are maintained with extended cousins, without any marriage arrangements mind you?
Bosnian Muslims have traditionally maintained strong family ties with immediate as well as extended family. And, as per cultural norms, marrying one's cousin is not acceptable. While people understand that the Qur'an allows cousins marrying, people still do not abide by that, if you will, privilege. Suddenly, after the war, we are seeing people cutting family ties with aunts and uncles because in their view now that they are more religious the uncles and aunts are not mahram (family) anymore. I think this is so absurd and truly sad state of affairs. I would never ever marry my uncle's son. In fact, we call each other brother and sister. My uncle's son I used to call half-brother when I was little and he called me half-sister (even though we do not share any of the parents biologically). And that is how we introduced each other to people. So, how would I to even think marrying my half-brother?
If the permission to marry cousins was meant as commandment, Allah SWT would not say "permission is given," but rather it would be: you are commanded. And Qur'an, based on my limited understanding, is not commanding such practice. So, why do some people make it seem sinful if family ties are maintained with extended cousins, without any marriage arrangements mind you?
I should go and talk to someone at the masjid. The imam is from an Arab culture, so I am sure that his reply would not only be from a religious perspective, but also cultural.
