How should one treat a close family member who deals with Riba? We were disheartened to find out that our uncle is in very bad debt, yet he continues to make purchases using loans from banks and credit cards. He has a teaching position that pays well, yet he owns a business with questionable funds. We were very close to him and his wife and children in the past, but now our relations have been severed. We have been unsuccessful in our effort to stop him through "Naseeha". We worry that he may even end up in jail. What should we do as a Muslim family, stay away from him and his family? Or keep family ties, by visiting them and eating from their home?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that dealing with usury and interest in eating, selling or buying is a war against Allaah, the Most-High, and the loser is absolutely the person who deals with usury and interest.

Allaah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, fear Allaah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allaah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal-[thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.}[Quran 2:278-279]

You must advise your relative and warn him against waging a war against Allaah, the Most-High.  If cutting relations with him would make him stop dealing with usury and interest, then you should cut relations with him.

However, if cutting relations with him, renders him stubborn and makes him extend his dealings in falsehood, then you should not cut relations with him but rather continue advising him. There is no harm in eating his food because his ill-gotten money is mixed with lawful money, but it is not permissible to eat the food which is known to be bought by him with his exclusively unlawful money.

The Prophet used to accept the invitations of the Jews and eat in their homes while it is known that the Jews deal with usury and interest.

There is no problem about the family of this person, you should carry on dealing with them as you would do normally and visit them because they are not responsible of the dealings and affairs of their guardian.

Allaah Knows best.