What is the ruling on the questioner maintaining ties with her Shiite brothers from whom she fears harm to herself and her creed, and what is the ruling on inviting them to Tawhid under these circumstances?

First: Get to know your relatives and reflect on your relationship with them before openly declaring the Sunni doctrine to them and inviting them to Tawhid (monotheism). If you perceive a positive reception from them, then inform them and invite them to the truth. However, if you sense hostility or harm, do not declare it to them. If you are unsure, you may remain as you are. A caller to Islam must be knowledgeable of the Sunni doctrine and aware of the opponents' misconceptions and methods of refuting them.

Second: The treatment for whispers (waswas) is to disregard them and frequently remember Allah. It is advisable to consult a specialized doctor, as obsessive-compulsive disorder is a known illness with both pharmaceutical and behavioral treatments.

Third: Maintaining ties with innovators (Ahl al-Bid'ah) is not obligatory, even if they are relatives. Imam Ahmad was of the opinion that boycotting them is obligatory to break their spirit and reform them, and there is no difference in this regard between a relative and a stranger.