Who are the relatives on the male and female sides? And how should their ties be maintained?

The questioner : The questioner is asking, O Shaykh, about the issue of maintaining family ties, meaning who is considered a relative, who is close, and who is distant?

The Shaykh : There is no difference between males and females regarding the issue of maintaining family ties. However, the matter is important if the visitation is between a male and a female, so that no violation of the Shari'ah occurs during the visit. First, for example, there should be no seclusion (khalwah) between relatives who do not have a permanent prohibition of marriage between them. Then, if there is no seclusion, for example, if the father of the daughter, her maternal uncle, or her paternal uncle is present, the gathering should be one that observes the etiquettes of Islam. The female relative should not expose any of her adornment that is forbidden for the one maintaining the tie, who is not her mahram. More than that, the gathering should be dignified. It is difficult to achieve this in these times: a gathering with no laughter or loud giggling between men and women who are not mahrams. If the visitation is with these restrictions and conditions, then expand it as much as you can. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) introduced a meaning to this continuity that goes beyond maintaining family ties, where he said (peace and blessings be upon him): So what about your relatives?!

The questioner : Is there no difference between a brother and a sister, or a paternal cousin and a maternal cousin?

The Shaykh : There is no difference, except by observing these boundaries.