There remains a third category of women permanently forbidden in marriage which the author did not mention: those forbidden through marital affinity. The apparent meaning of the author’s words is that, if a man likens his wife to her mother, saying, “You are to me like the back of your mother,” this would not constitute ẓihār, since he said, “through lineage or suckling.” However, the author will later state that those forbidden through marital affinity are like those forbidden through suckling.

Thus, the principle is this: whoever likens his wife—or any part of her—to all or part of a woman permanently forbidden to him through lineage, suckling, or marital affinity has pronounced ẓihār.

His words, “the back”: this explains his words, “to a part of one who is forbidden to him.” Thus, he says, “You are to me like the back of my mother.”

His words, “or the belly”: such as saying, “You are to me like the belly of my mother.”

“Or another limb that is not detachable,” by saying to her, “You are to me,” “with me,” or “from me,” “like the back of my mother,” “or like the hand of my sister,” “or the face of my mother-in-law,” and the like; or, “You are forbidden to me,” or, “like carrion or blood”—then he has pronounced ẓihār. If she says this to her husband, however, it is not ẓihār, but she must offer its expiation. It is valid in the case of every wife.

His words, “or another limb that is not detachable”: such as the hand, foot, or finger. Thus, if he says, “You are to me like the hair of my mother’s head,” he has not pronounced ẓihār, because hair is treated as detachable; once it has separated from her, it has no legal ruling.

His words, “by saying to her: ‘You are to me,’ ‘with me,’ or ‘from me,’ ‘like the back of my mother,’ ‘or like the hand of my sister,’ ‘or the face of my mother-in-law,’ and the like.”

Prohibition through marital affinity is like prohibition through suckling and lineage. Thus, likening one’s wife to a woman forbidden through marital affinity is like likening her to one forbidden through lineage or suckling. The women forbidden to a husband through marital affinity are his wife’s mother, however far ascending, and her daughter, however far descending, on the condition that he has consummated the marriage with her mother, as indicated by His words: