What is the ruling on boycotting one's brother for more than three days?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. This questioner, T.A.M., is Egyptian and resides in the Kingdom. He asks: What is the ruling on a Muslim boycotting his Muslim brother for more than three days?

Answer:
There is a distinction here. If the boycott is for worldly matters or personal issues, and the one being boycotted is upright in obedience to Allah, then this is forbidden (haram). It is not permissible to boycott him for more than three days. A dispensation (rukhsah) is granted for three days only if absolutely necessary, but completely abandoning the boycott in this case is better and more complete. However, if it is absolutely necessary, then up to three days; anything exceeding that is forbidden (haram), because the Muslim has sanctity, and it is not permissible to boycott him. But if this Muslim is a sinner committing a major sin, other than shirk (associating partners with Allah) or kufr (disbelief), and he is forbidden from it and advised but does not comply, then it is prescribed to boycott him. If boycotting him serves as a deterrent for him to repent, then he is boycotted until he repents to Allah the Exalted and Majestic, even if that exceeds three days. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) boycotted the three who were left behind for fifty days, until Allah turned to them in mercy. Yes. May Allah reward you with good.