Does Distancing from Family Due to Harm and Injustice Fall Under the Hadith on Cutting Ties of Kinship?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Does the hadith about not entering Paradise for cutting ties of kinship apply to someone who has distanced themselves from family due to repeated slander, emotional harm, and injustice, despite attempts at reconciliation? Would such distancing to protect one’s well-being lead to punishment?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There is no harm or harming.” [Ahmad]

I.e., it is not permissible to harm or to allow yourself to be harmed

Family Ties

Joining family ties has been highly encouraged by Allah Most High and the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace). However, this doesn’t necessitate that you have to endure emotional abuse, injustice, or participation in disobedience.

If you need to separate yourself from the situation to protect yourself from such harm, you should aim to do so in the most cordial and tactful of ways. In the end, it is important to sincerely wish good for all your family despite the lack of reciprocation.

The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The religion is sincere well-wishing (nasiha).” [Abu Dawud]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat 

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies in Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. There he completed the memorization of the Qur’an and his study of the Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, al-Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, al-Shaykh Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others. Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.