Is it intended by "blood relatives" only one's own family, or does it also include the wife's family?
Scholars differ concerning the definition of the kin (رحم) whose ties Islam commands us to maintain. Some hold that it refers to all unmarriageable kin (رحم محرم), while others believe it includes both unmarriageable and marriageable kin. The two views can be reconciled by stating that maintaining ties with unmarriageable kin is obligatory, and severing them is forbidden, whereas severing ties with marriageable kin is disliked () and maintaining them is recommended (mustahabb).
Therefore, the wife's family are not considered kin whose ties are obligatory to maintain based solely on the aforementioned description. However, it is recommended to maintain ties with them for two reasons: 1. They share the general bond of kinship in Islam, which necessitates adherence to faith, love, support, advice, avoidance of opposition, justice, good treatment, and fulfilling obligatory rights. 2. They have an additional right due to affinity (مصاهرة), and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, enjoined good treatment towards in-laws.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy