سوال

is it allowed for my wife to live with her brother in law on the same floor. Common areas are TV lounge, kitchen, entrance. Wife has a room with attached bathroom.

اَلجَوَابْ بِاسْمِ مُلْہِمِ الصَّوَابْ

If a woman lives in a joint family home where non-mahrams such as her brother-in-law or male cousins are present, she should use a large dupatta or shawl, and whenever a non-mahram appears, she should cover her face with it. She may speak to a non-mahram when necessary, but her conversation should be brief and dignified. She must avoid casualness, joking, or unnecessary familiarity. By observing these guidelines, she is allowed to live within the same residential area.

الفتاوى العالمكيرية = الفتاوى الهندية (5/ 329):

يجوز ‌النظر ‌إلى ‌مواضع ‌الزينة ‌الظاهرة منهن وذلك الوجه والكف في ظاهر الرواية.

روح المعاني   (9/ 335):

وأخرج ابن أبي شيبة وعبد بن حميد عن ابن عباس أنه قال في قوله تعالى: إلا ما ظهر منها رقعة الوجه وباطنالكف، وأخرجا عن ابن عمر أنه قال: الوجه والكفان