Question Summary:
Haram relationships

Question Detail:

I have come to learn about an incident and am not sure what to answer. An Muslim brither used to communicate with a lady who isn't directly related to him. They both developed a feeling for each other with time. On an occasion the man requested the woman to send pictures which had her body not completely covered. 
Years apart, this man's own sister has develops feeling for her first cousin who is married. And she sends her disturbing images to him. This has come to knowledge of the brother also.
The question here is -
1) Is the sin committed by him Equivalent to Zina ?
2) What should he advice his own sister.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Shariah has prohibited of free and open communication with the opposite gender. Consider the following verse,
وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الزِّنَى
 “And do not even draw (go) near to fornication (do not indulge in anything that may lead to it).” (Surah Al-Israa’: Ayat 32)
Islam prohibits zina and prohibits all avenues and means leading to zina. This is achieved by forbidding every step and means leading to stimulating desires, opening ways to impermissible relationships between men and women.
The actions of the individuals described in the query are immoral and shameful acts which does not behove the status of a Muslim.
The brother and sister should be advised to refrain from being in such relationships and disassociate themselves from the individuals they are in contact with. Furthermore, they should make abundant tawbah and istighfaar. The brother should inform his sister that he is shameful of his evil deed and has repented. He should advise her to do the same.
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Fahad Abdul Wahab
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai                                                                                                                                                                                                                
www.Daruliftaa.net