Must a man order his wife to uphold ties of kinship, and what are the general religious limits of what he must or must not impose on her?

Maintaining kinship ties is one of the best acts of devotion, and severing them is among the gravest sins. Allah Almighty says: "So, would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption in the land and sever your ties of kinship? Those are the ones whom Allah has cursed." And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A severer of kinship ties will not enter Paradise."

The deeds of human beings are presented to Allah every Thursday evening, the night before Friday, and the deeds of one who severs kinship ties are not accepted.

Maintaining kinship ties has degrees, including the obligatory and the recommended. A wife must maintain her kinship ties in a way that fulfills her obligation.

A husband must enjoin good upon his wife and forbid evil from her, based on the words of Allah Almighty: "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire," and based on the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "All of you are shepherds, and all of you are responsible for your flock." Thus, he must oblige her to perform the obligatory duties, encourage her to observe the Sunnah, and forbid her from what is unlawful.