Maintaining Family Ties Despite Harmful Behavior

Question

A question about the permissibility of cutting off family ties when it leads to insult and harm.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Yes, it is permissible to cut off family ties in such cases. However, the minimum level of connection should not usually cause significant harm. It is sufficient to inquire about their well-being, even by phone, and to visit them if they are ill, but you are not required to visit them. For more details, you can refer to Question 2063.

Source: Official website: 1, 2.

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

If it is anticipated that temporarily cutting off ties will lead him to refrain from wrongdoing, then he must do so as a matter of enjoining good and forbidding wrong. Otherwise, it is not permissible to sever family ties. Therefore, if what is mentioned in the question is considered a severance of ties by common understanding, it is not permissible to proceed with it. However, one can limit themselves to the minimum level of family connection, which can be achieved by inquiring about their conditions and sending written messages via phone, among other forms of assistance, especially in times of difficulty. Visiting them is not a condition for maintaining family ties. This varies according to the nature of the relationship and its proximity, both in terms of kinship and location. Common understanding may not suffice with just sending a message to a father or brother if they live in the same area. Thus, the determination should be based on common perception.

Source: Official website - Rulings on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong - Q 6 + Maintaining Family Ties with Non-Mahram Relatives

May you be successful in all good.