Most-asked question
Can I cut ties with relatives who harm me?
15 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 2 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“Cutting off ties with one's relatives is among the major sins in Islam. If your sibling has cut off ties with your mother, then he/she has committed a grave sin. However, this does not permit you to commit the same sin that he/she is commiting by cutting off ties with him/her.”
“Shariah has emphasised on maintaing family ties and warned against breaking family ties. Allāh Taala mentions in the Holy Quran, “… and fear Allāh through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut) family ties. نساء’ 4:1”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Saying someone is fine even though one did not speak to that person Mufti Online · 8 May 2025
- I did not speak to Nabi (ﷺ), will that constitute kufr? AskImam · 28 Oct 2018
- Cutting off ties with a sibling Mufti Online · 15 Aug 2023
- Sila Rahmi (Ties of Kinship) AskImam · 29 Jan 2016
- Husband forcing wife to cut ties with her family Mufti Online · 6 Oct 2023
- My mother wants me to sever ties with my father. What should I do? AskImam · 31 Dec 2012
- Cutting off ties with one's daughter who lives as a non-Muslim Mufti Online · 13 Mar 2019
- I have a female relative who openly admits that she commited adultery, is it acceptable for me to cut ties with her? AskImam · 21 Oct 2002
- Proposing for a girl who does not speak to her father Mufti Online · 15 Jan 2019
- My husband does not speak to his sister beacause a few years ago she moved out the house because of an argument with her father. she now lives her non muslim granparents AskImam · 6 Sep 2008
- Spouses not speaking to each other Mufti Online · 18 Jun 2014
- My husband is very distraught and wants to cut ties.What should I do? Parents are having a messy divorce,brother married a Christian, my sister has ran away from home...help AskImam · 9 Dec 2003
- I have a query regarding a troublesome relative. he says things to purposely annoy and ridicule me. know that in Islam we should not cut ties with our relatives AskImam · 20 Jun 2003
- I found out that my own mother and my sisters, have performed magic on me and my family. Please advice what I should do? Is it ok to cut ties AskImam · 6 Sep 2002
- Through petty issues my brother has decided to break ties with me.When asked if he wants to reconcile with me he said that he needs to take istikaar on this matter.Can istikaar be taken for this? AskImam · 30 Sep 2004
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