Question:
I heard something to the effect that if close family change their faith from Islam to Christianity ,that we should break all family ties. Is this true and what is the Shari’ah ruling about it.
Answer:
When any member of a Muslim family abandons his/her faith (May Allah forbid) and adopts the teachings of another creed, then as a result many new precepts arise pertaining to him e.g. He will not be regarded as an heir to the estate of any of his family members (father, son, brother etc.) and vice versa. His marriage to a Muslim lady is immediately terminated, thus causing her to become unlawful for him. In Darul Islam (Islamic country) the apostate loses ownership of his wealth, the animals he slaughters or hunts are Haraam, his testimony is not accepted in a Muslim court, many of his business transactions will be left pending. If he is residing in Darul Islam and chooses to remain an apostate, then he will be killed. Even his Hajj becomes invalid. (Ad-Durrul Mukhtaar, Vol. 3, Babul Murtad)
That is why when a Muslim becomes Murtad (an apostate) than all ties of relationship should be broken off with him so that he may feel hurt and lament over his doings and so that one is kept safe from his mischief and vile views. The only sought of relationship one is allowed to have with this person is to encourage him to return to the Deen of Islam and to make sincere Taubah.
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
15 January 2005
04 Thul Hijjah 1425