Dealing with Family Members that have Medical/Mental Conditions; Maintaining Ties of Relationships

As salaamu ’alaykum,

A family member has schizophrenia and calls me constantly making strange and disturbing comments.  Would it be considered cutting off ties if I ignore his phone calls?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

Wa ‘alaykum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

It can be very challenging when dealing with relatives that have mental disorders. One must always keep in mind that their behavior is not fully under their control and this is why shari’ah does not hold them fully accountable. One should excuse their awkward behavior and make du’a for them.

It will not be considered cutting off ties of kinship if one chooses to sometimes not answer their phone calls. At the same time, one should not completely cut off communication with them.

والله اعلم

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Waqas Memon

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani