Q: Is it permissible to be in Khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex) with the wife of an uncle, sisterinlaw, or other relatives? Is it permissible to go alone with them to the market or elsewhere?
A: It is not permissible to be alone with the sisterinlaw or the wife of an uncle or any other nonMahram (not a spouse or unmarriageable relative). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: No man should be alone with a woman unless there is a Mahram (a spouse or unmarriageable male relative) with her. (Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim)He (peace be upon him) forbade being alone with a woman for Satan will be the third one present with them. Thus, it is not permissible to be alone with a nonMahram woman at all. The sisterinlaw and the uncle's wife are nonMahrams and if going to the market involves Khulwah, this is not permissible, but if there is someone else with her, it is permissible. May Allah grant us success!