Surface Relationship with Relatives

Question

The question discusses the nature of a surface relationship with relatives, where the individual sees their father's family only a few times a year and does not communicate with them regularly. The individual wonders if this constitutes severing ties of kinship.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you. According to Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, if relatives do not sever their ties and occasionally check on each other while adhering to Islamic guidelines, and they assist one another, especially in times of trouble, they have fulfilled their duty of maintaining kinship. It is not necessary for kinship to be expressed through direct visits or communication; it can also be achieved by inquiring about each other's well-being and sending written messages via phone or similar means. Grand Ayatollah Sistani states that maintaining kinship can be done by asking about their condition, even over the phone, visiting them if they are ill, and that asking about someone through another person also counts as maintaining kinship. Source: Official websites of Ayatollah Khamenei and Ayatollah Sistani.