How should a man maintain his ties with his paternal and maternal female cousins, taking into account that they are of his kin (arham) but not unmarriageable kin (mahram), and that visiting them or contacting them might lead to problems with their husbands or relatives?
Allah has commanded the maintenance of kinship ties and prohibited their severance, for the one who severs kinship ties will not enter Paradise. Whoever maintains ties of kinship, Allah will maintain ties with him, and whoever severs them, Allah will sever ties with him. Maintaining kinship ties is among the reasons for blessings in sustenance and lifespan.
It is legislated to maintain ties with cousins (children of paternal uncles and children of maternal uncles), and it is not permissible to sever ties with them. The has not specified a particular method or a fixed amount for maintaining these ties; rather, it varies according to circumstances and customs. The minimum level is refraining from abandonment. However, these ties must not be maintained in a way that violates the Sharia, such as through khalwah (private seclusion of a man and a non- woman) or handshaking, or in a way that leads to corruption. Adherence to the rulings of Sharia and consideration of custom are essential; thus, visits should only occur in the presence of the husband or a mahram. If a visit would lead to corruption, then it suffices to inquire about them or to cease abandoning them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 97107
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy