Breaking ties

To break ties with a Muslim and to stop speaking to him due to rancour is not an Islamic practice. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) issued quite severe warnings regarding a person who does this. According to a Hadith reported by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu Anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that it is not permissible for a Muslim to stop speaking to his brother for more than 3 days because if the one who stops speaking to his brother for more than 3 days happens to die, then he will enter the fire.

According to the Hadith, the doors of Jannah open on Mondays and Thursdays and Allah Ta'ala graces all those who are not in Shirk. But those who have rancour and enmity among themselves do not get this chance so long as they do not reconcile.

In principle, a Muslim should always live well and maintain a good relationship with another Muslim. However, if a relationship is harmful and dangerous for Deen, then not only is breaking such ties allowed but it becomes obligatory. Likewise, if one remains aloof from a person to avoid problems due to his behaviour, then this is also permissible. This aloofness does not form part in the breaking of ties which is prohibited.

A disagreement can be rectified merely by initiating Salam. And this suffices to restore that broken relationship. In this way, a person can exclude himself from those who do not deserve the grace of Allah Ta'ala.

[English version of "Coupe relation" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.9]