His words, “And your paternal aunts and maternal aunts” [al-Nisā’: 23], include aunts who are full sisters or paternal or maternal half-sisters of one’s parents, as well as the paternal and maternal aunts of one’s fathers and mothers. In short, every woman born to any of your grandfathers or grandmothers, however far back, on either your father’s or your mother’s side, is forbidden to you in marriage. Their daughters are not included in this prohibition; marriage to them is lawful. Allah, Mighty and Majestic is He, says:

“O Prophet, We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have paid their bridal dues, those whom your right hand possesses from what Allah has granted you as spoils of war, and the daughters of your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles and your maternal aunts who emigrated with you.” [al-Ahzāb: 50]

His words, “And your brothers’ daughters” [al-Nisā’: 23], include the daughters of a brother’s daughters and sons, however far down the line of descent. Every female descendant of your brother is forbidden to you in marriage, whether he is your full brother, paternal half-brother or maternal half-brother.

His words, “And your sisters’ daughters” [al-Nisā’: 23], include the daughters of a sister’s daughters and sons, however far down the line of descent. Every female descendant of your sister is forbidden to you in marriage, whether she is your full sister, paternal half-sister or maternal half-sister.

His words, “And your mothers who nursed you” [al-Nisā’: 23], include their mothers, however far up the line of ascent; their daughters and the daughters of their daughters and sons, however far down the line of descent; and their sisters, paternal aunts and maternal aunts, whether related through both parents, through the father alone or through the mother alone. This does not include the daughters of their sisters, paternal aunts or maternal aunts.

His words, “And your sisters through breastfeeding” [al-Nisā’: 23], include full sisters, paternal half-sisters and maternal half-sisters through breastfeeding. This is because breastfeeding establishes marriage prohibitions through both the nursing woman and her husband, as the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Milk kinship is attributed to the husband.”

His words, “And your wives’ mothers” [al-Nisā’: 23], include those mothers’ mothers and all grandmothers above them. This does not include those mothers’ daughters, sisters, paternal aunts or maternal aunts,