What does Islam say about maintaining good relations with in-laws?

While the Quran does not legislate in-law relationships in detail, the general command to "do good to relatives" (4:36) is understood by scholars to extend, through the marriage bond, to a spouse's family as well - since the Quran itself describes marriage as creating kinship "by lineage and by marriage" (25:54), treating in-laws as a real, meaningful extension of one's family circle rather than outsiders. In practice this means courtesy, hospitality, and support toward a spouse's parents and siblings are expected, though in-laws do not carry the same specific legal weight, such as inheritance rights or the intensified duty owed to one's own parents. Many scholars note that tension with in-laws is one of the most common sources of marital strain, and encourage clear boundaries set jointly by spouses - a husband protecting his wife from unfair treatment by his own relatives, and a wife doing the same in reverse - while still encouraging warmth, patience, and generosity from both sides. Culture often layers expectations onto in-law relationships well beyond what religion strictly requires, and couples are encouraged to distinguish the two.

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