What are the standards of privacy and modesty between two close (non-spouse) individuals?

Assalamu Alaykum.

My question is this: What are the standards of privacy and modesty between two non-spouses who are mahrams?

For example, how are these boundaries defined between mahram relatives such as brother and sister, or father and daughter?

If the number of rooms in the house is limited and the number of people living there is high, can a brother and sister share the same bed?

Similarly, can daughters sleep with their fathers or between their mothers and fathers?

Also, what are the limits of physical contact between a brother and a sister?

For example, is it permissible for a brother to kiss, hug, or embrace his sister as a sign of affection?

So, is it appropriate for an adult brother and sister, who are only 1-2 years older than each other, to cuddle while sleeping at night or is it considered sinful?

Furthermore, what is the decree if a brother touches, hugs, or kisses his sister in an inappropriate and romantic way, similar to how spouses touch each other, but does not have sexual intercourse?

Is this behavior sinful, or is it permissible on the grounds that they are mahram (close relatives) and many scholars do not consider showing affection to mahrams to be sinful?

May Allah be pleased with you.

Dear Brother / Sister,

In Islam, there are different rulings regarding mahram relatives (those with whom marriage is eternally forbidden) and strangers. However, being mahram does not imply unlimited privacy. Modesty, decency, and boundaries are observed even among mahram relatives.

1. Who are considered mahram relatives?

For example, father and daughter, brother and sister, grandfather and grandson, uncle and nephew are considered mahram to each other.

The same rules of modesty regarding clothing do not apply to these individuals as in the presence of non-mahram people; however, it is not permissible to expose one’s private parts or completely eliminate privacy.

2. The standard of modesty between close relatives.

Generally, between close male and female relatives, the area between the navel and the knees must be covered. Unnecessary exposure of areas such as the chest and back is inappropriate.

Decency and family privacy must be protected. In other words, the idea that “he/she is mahram, so everything else is permissible” is incorrect.

3. Sleeping in the same bed or very close together

In small houses, it was considered normal for young children to sleep in the same room with their parents or siblings.

However, as children grow older, they should receive education about privacy.

It is generally not considered appropriate for siblings, especially those approaching adolescence or adults, to share the same bed or to sleep cuddling or in close contact with each other.

This is not because they are mahram to each other but to protect their sense of modesty, boundaries, and natural privacy.

4. Hugging and kissing between mahram relatives.

Among mahram relatives, it is permissible for parents to kiss their children, for siblings to hug out of affection, and for normal displays of affection within the family to occur.

However, these behaviors must not involve lust, must not resemble intimate closeness between spouses, and must not cross the boundaries of privacy.

5. The boundary between a brother and a sister.

Although brothers and sisters are mahram, it does not mean that the privacy between spouses can be applied to them.

If an action carries a romantic connotation, arouses lust, or resembles intimate closeness between spouses, it is impermissible and falls under the category of haram.

Privacy provides a convenience due to the impediment to marriage; however, it does not permit sexual or romantic intimacy.

Islam’s approach is not to eliminate love within the family, but to ensure that love remains pure, natural, and within the bounds of decency.

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