[Q 459] Ruling on Cutting Ties with Relatives, Avoiding Oppressive Family Members, Maintaining Relations Despite Harm

QUESTION:

Salam, what is the ruling on maintaining ties with a relative who deliberatley takes advantage of you including making you suffer financially. If you are concerned that keeping ties with such people is going to incur your further loss then to what extent can you cut ties if any? Are you able to avoid giving salam?
Is it also permissable to warn others of their behaviour in order to save them for being manipulated and being taken advantage of?
There are scenarios where the one being taken advantage off tried to maintain ties and a cordial relationship however due to the other party being deceptive the victim falls into the trap again.

ANSWER:

It is forbidden to cut off ties with any Muslim purely for worldly reasons for more than three days. However, if there is fear of sin, mischief, or corruption from them, or if the person is fasiq fajir (open sinner), then cutting off ties is permissible. Therefore, in the mentioned case, if attempts are being made to cause you financial harm, it is better to change your approach so that harm does not occur, or to completely end business dealings with them. But do not sever relations entirely—continue to participate in occasions of happiness and grief, and keep up greetings and handshakes. In other words, limit the relationship, but do not completely cut it off.

Remember! No decision can be made merely on the basis of suspicion until the full reality is clarified. Also, having badgumani (negative assumptions) about a Muslim is impermissible and sinful.

It is stated in Bukhari Shareef:

عن أبي أيوب الأنصاري: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ” لا يحل لرجل أن يهجر أخاه فوق ثلاث ليال، يلتقيان: فيعرض هذا ويعرض هذا، وخيرهما الذي يبدأ بالسلام ”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 8, p. 21, Hadith no. 6077)

It is stated in Fatawa Shami:

بأن الهجران قد يجوز أو يجب إذا كان لله تعالى بأن كان يتكلم بما هو معصية أو يخشى فتنته أو فساد عرضه بكلامه
(al-Durr al-Mukhtar, vol. 3, p. 769)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 28th September 2025