QUESTION
Assalamu alaikum
Can you help me advice this sister on her question below.
My husband and I have been through many years of continuous abuse and manupulation by my in laws which has caused alot of trauma, depression, major anxiety and affects our marriage, and daily lives. After seeking professional therapy counselling we were advice that we need to cut relationships ties with them. How can i do did in islam? Will it be permissible for us to do?
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
If you are certain, and have seen that your in laws have caused much trouble to both you and your husband, then it will be permissible to temporarily refrain from maintaining relations with them until they desist from their actions. This means that both of you can distance yourselves from them and not maintain a close relation. You can also stop visiting them or have them visit you. You can also temporarily stay away from having conversations and talks with them. All these are allowed when you know of certainty that they are causing all these problems to you and your husband which you have mentioned. However, you must not permanently sever family relations with them on a long-term basis. As long as they are bad to you, you can disassociate yourself from them, but if they begin to treat you in a good manner, then you should do the same to them.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
11/1/2023