Maintaining a relationship with a Murtad
Question:-
Are we permitted to maintain a relationship with a family member that has turned Murtad?
If the parents of a Murtad continue maintaining a relationship with him, then should the remaining children maintain a relationship with their parents?
Answer:-
A person that renounces Islam is referred to a Murtad. Such a person should be given a grace period of three days wherein he may have all his doubts removed. If after this period, he is adamant and remains upon Kufr then he should be executed (by the authorities) in a Muslim country. Due to us not living in a Muslim country, this ruling will not be applicable.
However, as you have correctly stated we are not permitted to maintain any relations with a Murtad, rather, we are required to sever all relations with such a person. The scholars have written that maintaining a close relationship with a Murtad is Haraam and one will be considered to be sinful. Sincere repentance will be required for such an action.
جو شخص مذہب اسلام چھوڑ کر کوئی دوسرا مذہب اختیار کرے وہ مرتد ہے ، اس سے موالات حرام ہے – جو اس سے موالات کرے وہ گنہگار ہے اس کو اپنے اس فعل سے توبہ لازم ہے – محمودیہ ص۴۳۸ ج۲۰
وانها دالة علي هجران اهل الكفر والمعاصي من اهل البدع وغيرهم فان صحبتهم كفر او معصية اذ الصحبة لا تكون الا عن مودة (الجامع لاحكام القراٰن للقرطبي ص95 ج5)
However, although a person must not join his parents in the wrong that they are involved in (the wrong act of maintaining a close relation with their apostate son), he will still be required to respect his parents at all times. He should in no way disrespect or humiliate them rather he should inform them of the ruling of Shariah (of impermissibility) in regards to maintaining a close relationship with a Murtad. It is possible that they aren’t aware of its impermissibility at this stage and could repent and reform on being made aware.
ماں باپ اگر کافر بھی ہوں ، ان کی بے ادبی ، توہین وتذلیل اور بے باکی کے ساتھ گفتگوں کرنا جائز نہیں ، بلکہ ان کا ادب واحترام بہر صورت لازم ہے ۔۔ آپ کے مسائل اور ان کا حل ص۵۵۰ ج۸
وان جاهداك علي ان تشرك به ما ليس لك به علم فلا تطعهما وصاحبهما في الدنيا معروفا (اية 15 سورة لقمان)