Should I Congratulate My Aunt on Her Baby Even Though She Lives like a Non-Muslim?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
My aunt is married to a man who reverted to Islam before the marriage, probably so our family would accept him, but Allah knows best. Her husband refused to pray at the ceremony because his family would see him praying, and they don’t know that he reverted at the masjid.
My family finds beer in their fridge and Christmas decor at their house. They also own dogs. Their henna party was mixed with a hired dancer. I believe she blocked me on social media, where I post inspiring reminders about the religion.
Although I don’t support this relationship, I don’t want to cut ties despite her being distant. Should I congratulate the birth of her baby?
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your concern and for wishing the best for your aunt, and may Allah be pleased with you both.
Ties
This hadith applies directly to you: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him.” [Bukhari]
It is of the utmost importance that you maintain the ties of kinship with her for the sake of Allah and to make sure that she has some religious influence in her life. Please congratulate her on her baby, and show her your love, support, and the beauty of Islam; one day, by the grace of Allah, she will open her eyes.
Please see this link as well:
Should I Maintain Ties With Family Who Openly Sin or Shun Them?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
