Upholding the ties of kinship is obligatory to the extent that one is able to do it

 

I have sisters who are married and my mother is married to someone other than my father, because my father is deceased. I work in the army and I want to go and see them but my circumstances do not permit it. I am also married and if I go there and leave my family, I would have to stay there for at least three days, during which time I would be worrying about my wife and children. Am I severing the ties of kinship, given that I have not been in touch with them for ten months?.

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Upholding the ties of
kinship is obligatory to the extent that one is able to do it, starting
with the closest and then the next closest. There is a great deal of
goodness in it and it serves many interests. Severing the ties of kinship
is a major sin, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Would you then, if
you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties
of kinship?

23. Such are they whom
Allaah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight”

[Muhammad 47:22] 

And the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who severs the
ties of kinship will enter Paradise.” Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh. 

When a man asked him, “O
Messenger of Allaah, whom should I honour?” He said: “Your mother.” He said:
“Then whom?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then whom?” He said: “Your
mother.” He said: “Then whom?” The fourth time he said: “Your father, then
the next closest and the next closest.” Also narrated by Muslim. 

In al-Saheeh it is
narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to
be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.” 

There are many ahaadeeth
on this topic. What you have to do is to uphold the ties of kinship to the
extent that you are able to, by visiting them if possible, or by writing or
phoning. It is also prescribed for you to uphold kinship ties financially
too, if the relative is poor. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you
can”

[al-Taghaabun 64:16] 

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope”

[al-Baqarah 2:286] 

And the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When I command you to do something, do as much of it as you can.” Saheeh – agreed upon. 

May Allaah help us all to do that which pleases Him.