Is refraining from visiting relatives or communicating with them considered severing ties of kinship, despite the presence of love and absence of animosity? What is the ruling on visiting relatives if it leads to sin, such as intermingling or looking at unveiled women? Is visiting some relatives sufficient in place of the others? What is the ruling if custom limits visits to occasions?

The concept of maintaining or severing ties of kinship (silat ar-rahim) is defined by societal norms and is not limited to a specific action. Abandoning communication in any form is considered severing ties. There are degrees of maintaining kinship; the lowest degree is avoiding estrangement and communicating through speech or greetings. Maintaining kinship varies between what is obligatory and what is commendable. One who fulfills some ties but not their entirety is not considered a severer of ties, nor is one who falls short of what they are capable of considered a maintainer. The presence of evil (munkar) or preoccupation with studies does not prevent maintaining ties through other means, and it is not permissible to suffice with love and affection without communication, as this could be an entryway for Satan. Visiting some relatives does not suffice for visiting others if their visitation is possible.