Ruling on Maintaining Ties with Kin Who Neglect Prayer

Question:
We have relatives, kin, and family members who are negligent in performing the prayer. Is it permissible for us to cut ties with them, knowing that we are eager to advise them in this matter? We ask you, Your Eminence, to kindly answer this, and may Allah reward you with the best reward.

Answer:
Here is a point we often emphasize, which is that it is obligatory for the believer to convey what he hears of good. This should always be on our minds: conveying, conveying. Everyone should convey to those behind them—whether relatives, family members, companions, or those they sit with—what they hear of knowledge and benefit, so that the benefit spreads and knowledge becomes widespread in the matter of maintaining family ties and other matters.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he narrated to his companions and reminded them, would say: "Let the one present convey to the one absent, for perhaps the one who conveys it is more attentive than the one who heard it." He also said: "Convey from me even if it is a single verse," (peace and blessings be upon him). And when he addressed the people on the Day of 'Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he said: "You will be asked about me, so what will you say?" They said: "We bear witness that you have conveyed the message, advised, and fulfilled your duty." He said: "O Allah, be a witness, O Allah, be a witness." And he said: "Let the one present convey to the one absent!"
Therefore, our brothers who hear benefit from any source that is reliable should convey what they have heard of good to their families, relatives, and companions, according to their grasp of the benefit. One should not convey until he has grasped it and taken care of it, so that he does not attribute to those from whom he transmitted something they did not say. It is obligatory to be attentive and to convey what one has heard after memorizing it and being certain of what one has heard, so that he conveys good and becomes a partner in that reward.
And the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever guides to good, he has a reward like that of the doer." This is a great benefit: whoever guides to good has a reward like that of the doer. It is an authentic hadith, narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih. In the other wording, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever calls to guidance, he will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, and that will not diminish their rewards in any way." It is necessary to convey and call to good from everyone who has heard the good, memorized it, and is certain of it.
As for the brother's question about those who have brothers or relatives who do not pray, or who are disbelievers, these people have their own status regarding ties. They are not like the Muslims. However, ties are maintained with them, and kindness is shown to them, other than through zakah, perhaps so that Allah will guide them through these means, and perhaps so that Allah will bring their hearts closer to good through these means.
Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: [Al-Mumtahanah: 8]. He, the Exalted, informed us that He does not forbid us from maintaining ties with those who have not fought us, that we should be kind to them and do good to them. It is established in the authentic collections that the mother of Asma' bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) came to her in Madinah during the truce between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the people of Makkah. She was a polytheist, and she came seeking wealth and seeking to maintain ties. Asma' sought permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to maintain ties with her, and the Prophet said: "Maintain ties with her."
And 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to send gifts to a brother of his in Makkah who was a polytheist during the truce that occurred between the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the people of Makkah. So if you have disbelieving relatives, there is no harm, and it is better that you send them gifts and do good to them, perhaps so that they will be guided, and perhaps so that they will respond to the call of Islam.
And likewise, if you have a brother who does not pray, or who consumes intoxicants, or who commits other sins, then along with calling him to Allah, guiding him to good, and disapproving of the evil he does, there is no harm in maintaining ties with him. If he is poor, there is no harm in maintaining ties with him with some money, to bring his heart closer and to call him to Islam.
So if he persists in what he does of falsehood, then it is prescribed for you to boycott him if his boycott is expected to bring benefit and good. But if his boycott only increases him in evil, then you continue to advise him and disapprove of his actions, perhaps so that Allah will guide him through your means, along with maintaining ties with him if he is poor and supporting him. For money has its effect on hearts, and kindness to people affects their hearts. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Baqarah: 195], and He says: [Al-A'raf: 56].
And the poet says:
Be kind to people, and you will enslave their hearts
For as long as a person is enslaved by kindness