Now listen, whom are meant by blood relations? Wherever I mention this point before even great Ulama, they all have said, “This is the first time in our life that we heard this. Our knowledge has increased today. We misunderstood the meaning of blood relations.” Generally, people feel that only parents, brothers, sisters, paternal and maternal grandparents, aunties, etc. are blood relations. However, Allamah Alusi As-Sayyed Mahmood Baghdadi (Rahmatullah Alaihe) in Ruhul Ma’aani defines the word ‘Ar-haam’ as follows,

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‘Ar-haam’ refers to those family members who is related by lineage (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc.) and those family members related from the wife’s side” (e.g. Mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law etc.) these are also included in blood relations.

Their right is like that of one’s parents. They must be respected and honored likewise.