Is it permissible to distance oneself from kinship ties if they cause harm to the one maintaining them, as is the case with a maternal uncle whose inquiries about circumstances lead to successive calamities, and who displays anger upon hearing good news, and whose harsh words hurt the mother?

Maintaining ties with the maternal uncle is obligatory because he is a forbidden degree of kinship (mahram). His mistreatment does not permit severing ties with him, nor does it negate the fundamental obligation of maintaining ties. However, the extent of this obligation may be reduced by the amount of certain, not imagined, harm and damage incurred. The fundamental principle for a Muslim is to think well of his Muslim brother and to fortify himself with the means that protect against envy.