13 relations haram for marriage in Islam

Islam has given clear-cut instructions with regards to marriage as finding a halal relation for your nikah is a subject Allah has specifically mentioned in the Quran. 

13 relations prohibited for marriage

1. Mothers
2. Daughters
3. Sisters
4. Father's sisters (aunts)
5. Mother's sisters (aunts)
6. Brother's daughters (nieces)
7. Sister's daughters (nieces)
8. Women who have breastfed/nursed you (milk mothers)
9. Milk sisters (girls who were breastfed/nursed by the same woman who breastfed you)
10. Mothers-in-law (wives' mothers)
11. Step daughters (born of wives with whom you have had sexual intercourse. But step daughters of your wives with whom you have not had sexual intercourse are allowed to married as Allah says there is no sin upon you in this case)
12. Daughter in law (wife of your sons who are from your own loin - biological son)
13. Marrying two sisters simultaneously

Quran verse that mentions haram relations

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 wives' mothers, and your step-daughters under your 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 occurred. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. Surah Nisa 23

What about love marriage and dating 

You are probably wondering why love between man and woman before marriage is not specifically discussed in the Quran. It is because this topic is related to adultery and chastity and has been mentioned in several verses. Since dating and love affairs may lead to zina, and in most cases, limits are crossed, Muslim scholars put it under the category of "haram."

Difference between love and haram marriage 

Islamqa.info, a popular Islamic Q&A platform, answers this question in detail. A young woman asked a question about the feeling of love she has for a young man whom she wants to marry. She claims that she offers prayers and is every conscious of her good deeds, but maintains relationships with him through emails only. Her main worry is that whether her feeling love for him before nikah is haram or halal.

So, it can be summed up by saying love affairs, dating or staying with a woman without marriage is prohibited because it leads to zina, which is one of the most serious sins in Islam. Anything that pushes a person close to adultery should be avoided to keep on the safe side.

However, the feeling of love can be spontaneous, natural and one that may come without your being conscious of it. For instance, if a person looks at the opposite sex accidentally and develops love, they cannot be blamed for the feeling that has naturally occurred so it cannot be termed as "haram."

Love before marriage in Islam