✍ Author: Dr. Muhammad Ziya-ur-Rahman A‘zami رحمه الله
Maintaining ties of kinship (Silah Rahmi) with a disbeliever is not considered an act of loyalty (Muwalat). These are two separate matters. Allah ﷻ mentions both the prohibition of taking enemies as allies and the permissibility of kind treatment in the same Surah, thus making a clear distinction between the two.
Allah ﷻ says:
❝ O you who have believed! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection. ❞
[Al-Mumtahanah: 1]
And in the same Surah, He also states:
❝ Allah does not forbid you from being righteous and just to those who have not fought you because of your religion and have not expelled you from your homes. ❞
[Al-Mumtahanah: 8]
Maintaining family ties is distinct from friendship and is obligatory, even if the relative is a disbeliever, as long as one avoids:
✔ Supporting them in their disbelief
✔ Endorsing or aiding their false beliefs
✔ Developing bonds of religious or ideological loyalty with them
It is also permissible to invite such relatives to one’s home. However, this should be coupled with sincere efforts to:
Perhaps, through this, Allah ﷻ may guide them.
[Ibn ‘Uthaymeen: Nūr ‘ala al-Darb: 3/21]
❖ Clarification on Maintaining Kinship vs. Loyalty
Maintaining ties of kinship (Silah Rahmi) with a disbeliever is not considered an act of loyalty (Muwalat). These are two separate matters. Allah ﷻ mentions both the prohibition of taking enemies as allies and the permissibility of kind treatment in the same Surah, thus making a clear distinction between the two.
Allah ﷻ says:
❝ O you who have believed! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection. ❞
[Al-Mumtahanah: 1]
And in the same Surah, He also states:
❝ Allah does not forbid you from being righteous and just to those who have not fought you because of your religion and have not expelled you from your homes. ❞
[Al-Mumtahanah: 8]
❖ Obligation of Kinship Regardless of Faith
Maintaining family ties is distinct from friendship and is obligatory, even if the relative is a disbeliever, as long as one avoids:
✔ Supporting them in their disbelief
✔ Endorsing or aiding their false beliefs
✔ Developing bonds of religious or ideological loyalty with them
❖ Permissibility of Hosting and Advising
It is also permissible to invite such relatives to one’s home. However, this should be coupled with sincere efforts to:
- Invite them to Islam
- Offer them sound advice
- Guide them towards the truth
Perhaps, through this, Allah ﷻ may guide them.
[Ibn ‘Uthaymeen: Nūr ‘ala al-Darb: 3/21]
