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Improving relations with abusive relatives

Question

My sister and sister-in-law do not want to keep a relationship with me, but when I try to maintain a relationship with them, they make make fun and also tell lies about me, which is harmful to me, as they are powerful. What can I do?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

What is required of Muslims is that the relationship between them should be in the best state of affection and friendship. Allah says (what means): {The believers are but brothers.} [Quran 49:10]

An-Nu’maan ibn Basheer, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When one of its organs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

We advise you to find out the causes that led your sister and sister-in-law to such behavior towards you and try to solve every cause with a suitable solution. You should be keen on advising them in a gentle manner regarding them mocking you and fabricating lies against you as you have the right to defend yourself.

Also, among the reasons of reconciliation is to repel a bad deed with a good deed. Allah says (what means): {And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.} [Quran 41:34]

If it is necessary that righteous people and rational relatives intervene to solve the problem, then you should resort to this.

You should not forget to supplicate Allah as much as possible to reconcile between you and them as He is over all things Omnipotent and everything is easy for him. Allah says (what means): {And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.} [Quran 40:60]

For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 82279.

Allah knows best.

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