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29 / 06 / 2026
The Relationship with My Cousin
I have a maternal uncle who passed away in 2006, and since that day, my cousin and I have been friends, like brothers. We communicate on the phone to check on each other, and we continued this way until I got married and now have children. I still check on him, so in this situation, while I am married, is it forbidden for me to check on him and comfort him, knowing that my husband does not know that I am talking to him?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: Speaking with your cousin without a mahram present and without necessity is not permissible, nor is there any justification for it. It is not permissible for men and women to be friends; friendship should only be between members of the same gender. You should not continue speaking with him outside of the boundaries I mentioned. You need to repent for the previous communication and seek forgiveness from Allah, and Allah knows best.
