Question Summary:
Is it permissible to live with my in-laws?

Question Detail:

Is it permitted to live in a joint family which consists of my husband’s brother, his wife, husband’s sister and his parents?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
One may live with ones in-laws. However one should ensure strict shar’ī pardah/segregation is maintained between the male relations of the husband and the wife (excluding the husbands father). One companion radiyallāhu ‘anhu asked Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam about a wife being in the company of any male relation of the husband.[1]
 
Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam replied,
"الحَمْوُ المَوْتُ"
“The male relations are death.”
 
Death here means very harmful and detrimental. Normally there is laxity in maintaining pardah amongst such relations because of which there is a greater chance of falling into sin. One should be conscious and mindful of the advice of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam and take extra care in this affair.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Ali bin Cassim
Student Darul Iftaa
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net