What is the ruling on visiting relatives such as a brother, sister, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, paternal aunt, or maternal aunt, if some of them are disbelievers, or innovators, or superstitious, or if there are abominations in their homes such as hanging pictures of animate beings, or a television showing images of women and music?

It is permissible to visit disbelieving or disobedient relatives if one's faith is secure from being influenced by them, and if the visit is not for an occasion forbidden by Sharia. In fact, visiting them is recommended for the purpose of inviting them to righteousness, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) visited his uncle Abu Talib and some Jews. If the visitor witnesses a forbidden act, he should advise against it, forbid it, and explain its ruling. Abandoning disobedient people is not prescribed as long as the Muslim is safe from being influenced by them and is able to forbid their wrongdoings and expects them to respond. However, if they persist in their wrongdoing, then abandonment is prescribed if it has an effect on them; otherwise, there is no benefit in it. If a Muslim fears being influenced by the reality of deviant individuals, then he must keep away from them to preserve his faith.