Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
What is the ruling on cutting ties with a Muslim in order to protect oneself from religious or worldly harm?
It is prohibited (ḥarām) to cut ties with a Muslim for more than three days. However, if there is a genuine fear of religious or worldly harm from a Muslim, and even after being advised he does not refrain, then it is permissible to cut ties with him until he returns to goodness.
أجمع العلماء على أنه لا يجوز للمسلم أن يهجر أخاه فوق ثلاث إلا أن يكون يخاف من مكالمته وصلته ما يفسد عليه دينه أو يولد به على نفسه مضرة فى دينه أو دنياه فإن كان ذلك فقد رخص له فى مجانبته وبعده.
“The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon his (Muslim) brother for more than three days, except if he fears that speaking to him or maintaining ties with him will corrupt his religion, or bring harm to him in his religion or worldly affairs. In such a case, it is permissible for him to boycott and keep away from him.”
(Al-Tamhīd, 6/127)
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on cutting ties with a Muslim in order to protect oneself from religious or worldly harm?
❖ Answer:
It is prohibited (ḥarām) to cut ties with a Muslim for more than three days. However, if there is a genuine fear of religious or worldly harm from a Muslim, and even after being advised he does not refrain, then it is permissible to cut ties with him until he returns to goodness.
❖ Statement of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr (رحمه الله, 463H):
أجمع العلماء على أنه لا يجوز للمسلم أن يهجر أخاه فوق ثلاث إلا أن يكون يخاف من مكالمته وصلته ما يفسد عليه دينه أو يولد به على نفسه مضرة فى دينه أو دنياه فإن كان ذلك فقد رخص له فى مجانبته وبعده.
“The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon his (Muslim) brother for more than three days, except if he fears that speaking to him or maintaining ties with him will corrupt his religion, or bring harm to him in his religion or worldly affairs. In such a case, it is permissible for him to boycott and keep away from him.”
(Al-Tamhīd, 6/127)
