Fatwa No : 39573
My wife mistakenly called me "bhai"

My wife mistakenly called me "bhai"

My wife mistakenly called me “Bhai” while talking to me. I scolded her over it and asked her why she referred to me as “Bhai” to which she replied that it was by mistake and she did not mean to say it. I am quite worried since it happened. Please tell me if it is okay. She said it was by mistake. I shall wait for your response.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

In the mentioned situation, the marriage of the questioner and his wife was not affected in any way. In fact, the marriage is still intact so there is no reason to be concerned. However, the questioner’s wife should refrain from calling him “Bhai” in future.
And Allah knows best.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

كما في الدر المختار: باب الظهار: هو لغة مصدر ظاهر من امرأته: إذا قال لها أنت علي كظهر أمي وشرعا (تشبيه المسلم) فلا ظهار لذمي عندنا (زوجته) ولو كتابية، أو صغيرة، أو مجنونة (أو) تشبيه ما يعبر به عنها من أعضائها، أو تشبيه (جزء شائع منها بمحرم عليه تأبيدا) (الی قوله) من شرائط الظهار، كون المظاهر به من جنس النساء حتى لو شبهها بظهر أبيه، أو ابنه لم يصح لأنه إنما عرف بالشرع والشرع ورد في النساء۔اھ (3/465)