Is It Allowed in Islam to Marry Two Sisters?

Marriage is a form of worship and Allah SWT encourage muslim to perform marriage as soon as possible after they are ready both physically and mentally.

Marriage also avoid us from commiting adultery which are strongly forbidden in Islam.

There are several case that occured from marriage itself including the questions of is it allowed in Islam to marry two sisters? And we should consider that there are conditions and terms of marriage in Islam that must be fulfilled.

Marrying two sisters may not cause harm or genetic disorders such as blood marriages. However in Islam it is not permissible to marry two sisters at the same time regardless they share the same father and mother or they have only one parent in common.

We can see it in the following verse :

“Prohibited to you (for marriage) are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father’s sisters, your mother’s sisters, your brother’s daughters, your sister’s daughters, your (milk) mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, your wive’s mothers, and your step-daughters under you guardianship (born) of your wives unto whom you have gone in. 

But if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you. And (also prohibited are) the wives of your sons who are from your (own) loins, and that you take (in marriage) two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occured. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” (QS. An-Nisa : 23)

Marrying two sisters at the same time is forbidden because there must be tendency of each women to compete each other for the attention of the man.

It can also cause ill-will, competition, jealousy and other heart diseases. Also read about things that nullify marriage in Islam.

The Prophet said in the following hadith,

“Fayroz al-Daylami said : I came to the Prophet (peace and belssings of Allah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, I have become Muslim and I am married to two sisters.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Choose whichever of them you want (i.e and divorce the other).” (Al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)

The blood-relationship is very sacred and muslims should respect and revere it. Commiting those actions (marrying two sisters) can damage the sacred relationships by the natural competition and jealousy.

Provisions Applied in Islam

Before performing marriage we should understand the law of marriage in Islam:

“Do not marry the women who were previously married to your fathers – existing marriages are exempted and shall not be broken – for it is a gross offense, and an abominable act.” (QS. An-Nisa : 22)

There is a hadith from Rasulullah as stated below,

“It is also reported from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah forbade marrying a woman then her paternal aunt, or a paternal aunt then her brother’s daughter, a woman then her maternal aunt, or a maternal aunt then her sister’s daughter, or an older sister then the younger sister, or a younger sister then the older sister.” (Al-Tirmidhi & Abu Dawood)

[AdSense-B]

We can concluded that before marrying someone we have to know their family and blood realtions.

And we also have to understand that marriage is a sacred relationship with the purpose of achieving the blessing from Allah SWT.

So that marriage must be in accordance with the provisions of religion (Islam) and eliminate harm or immorality. Also read about effects of late marriage in Islam.

“And of His signs is that He created for you yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (QS. Ar-Rum : 21)

In other verse of Quran, Allah SWT mentioned that we should marry righteous people among us and choose the right person. Do not follow our lust to marry more than one person if we can not be fair.

“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of (other) women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then (narry only) one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline (to injustice).” (QS. An-Nisa : 3)

“And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor. Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (QS. An-Nur : 32)

And the verse after it, tell muslims not to be affraid of marriage even if they don’t have enough wealth. Since Allah promised to help His people if they have a good intention.

Islam as religion always help and give their people guidance and never make their people to suffer.

The rules and laws applied in Islam are very clear and not burdensome if we react to it wisely.

All rules including the prohibition of marrying two sisters at the same time must have a great reasons other that those previously described.

Only Allah SWT now what is best for His people, as a good muslim we should believe to Him and follow His guidance. Also read about rules of remarriage in Islam.

But the question will still be arised about is it allowed to marry two sisters? if the intention is helping them.

In any situations it’s still not allowed in Islam. For example someone want two marry his wife’s sister because they want to help her and her kids from an abusive father or from financial problems.

Still there are plenty ways to help them without jump into marriage contract. We can save them by providing shelter and financial support in form guardians and so forth.

Humans are creatures that have limited abilities, strength, and thoughts therefore we can not justify the law from Allah SWT as our Creator. [AdSense-C]

He is the most Knowing and all Wise, He know what is best for His people. If He said no then we have to follow His command. Also read about the importance of education in Islam.

But then again if the case is slightly different like they really want to marry his wife’s sister then the way are as follows,

1. He may marry his wife’s sister if his wife has passed away.
2. He may marry his wife’s sister if they divorce first.
3. Before marrying his wife’s sister, we should understand the concept of divorce in Islam divided into two Raj’i and Ba’in. Raj’i means both couple still have a possibilty to reconcile.
4. Which are one divorce and two divorce. If the divorce included as this type of divorce then the husband should wait for the period of the first wife before marrying his wife’s sister. And if it is a second type of divorce (Ba’in), the husband can marry his wife’s sister without waiting for the period of the first wife. This are the opinions of Said bin Musayid, Hasan al-Bashri, Urwah bin Zubair, As-Syafii, Abu Tsaur, Abu Ubaid, Ibnul Mundzir, and other scholars.