Cousins as non-Mahrams

Q 1: There is a widespread phenomenon among the people that a woman does not have to observe Hijab in front of non-Mahram men (not a spouse or an unmarriageable relative), such as her male cousin and her brother-in-law, until after they are married. Some women even object when their husbands prevent them from doing this. What is the ruling on this?

A: It is obligatory on a woman to observe Hijab in front of non-Mahram men, whether they are her relatives, such as her cousins, or her husband’s relatives, such as his brother. It does not matter whether these men are married or not, as long as they are adults, unless they are men who lack desire or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family, and Companions.