Is a son considered undutiful to his mother for not visiting her due to her husband's ill character, even though he communicates with her constantly by phone? And is he considered a severer of kinship ties for not constantly communicating with his paternal uncles and grandfather due to his parents' قطع [severance] from them? And is he considered a liar if he resorts to saying some untrue things in an attempt to reconcile them?

The mere separation of parents does not negate their rights; rather, one must continuously honor them and obey them in what is good. The mother's right takes precedence over the father's. It is obligatory to honor her, maintain ties with her, and treat her kindly, unless visiting her would result in clear harm or if the husband forbids it. In such cases, it is permissible to suffice with a connection that does not entail harm.

The Sharia (definition) has not specified a particular method for maintaining ties of kinship; rather, it refers to custom. This can be achieved through visiting, calling, writing, and greeting. Maintaining ties of kinship has various degrees, the lowest of which is refraining from estrangement and exchanging greetings.

Among the greatest acts of honoring parents is enjoining them to good and forbidding them from evil gently. Speech that fosters affection and dispels animosity is not considered reprehensible lying. Your eagerness to reconcile differences is among the best deeds in the sight of Allah.