necessary to fulfil the rights of relatives. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه further said: Treating relatives and ‘near ones’ well is very beneficial for one’s life in the world and the Hereafter; it makes all our life, death and the Hereafter better.

(Tafseer-e-Na’eemi, vol. 4, pp. 455-456)

Remember! Grandmothers, grandfathers (both paternal and maternal) and uncles, aunties (both paternal and maternal) etc., also have some rights.

On page no. 197 of the book ‘Bahisht ki Kunjiyan [Keys to Paradise]’, publication of Maktaba-tul-Madinah, it is stated: Severing ties with relatives is Haram and an act leading to Hell. Therefore every Muslim should always be cautious in this matter and should not sever ties with his relatives but rather he should always make efforts to maintain relations with them and ensure that their relationship never comes to an end. Some people are heard saying: ‘We will only maintain relations with those relatives who keep relations with us, and we will sever relations with those who also sever relations with us.’ Saying this and adopting this manner both are contrary to Islam. (He has further said): There is only one permissible condition of severing ties with relatives and that condition is to sever ties based on a religious reason for example, no matter how close a relative is, if he becomes an apostate, goes astray or become heretic, then it is Wajib to sever ties with him or if a relative is indulged in major sin, and does not abstain from it even after he is prevented but rather he adamantly remains indulged in committing sins then it is necessary to cut ties with him because keeping ties with him and cooperating him is like taking part in his major sin and this act is not permissible at all. (Bahisht ki Kunjiyan, pp. 197, summarised)

However, if one does not help such a person at all in his acts of sins and there is no risk of developing of ominousness of sins then it is not Wajib to sever ties with him and if possible he must call him to righteousness so that he may keep away from committing sins.

Remember! Shari’ah has mentioned the rights of all the people; but be it parents, relatives, sister, brother or neighbours, their rights will only be fulfilled if it is in accordance to the Shari’ah otherwise none of them will be obeyed and nor will the relation be maintained; instead, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His