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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West Interaction in social life Introduction Each society has its own social circumstances with its own traditions, formalities, values and customs. It is natural that the values and customs of societies in foreign countries would differ from those of our Muslim societies. These differences place the Muslim living in such societies, in a constant state of questing about what is permissible for him and what is not.

Becoming part of societies that cater for Western values imposes upon the immigrants (from Muslim countries) the resistance against becoming absorbed in the melting pot of the new values, and the protection of themselves and their children from gradually melting into it. This is bound to put upon them extra hardship to protect themselves, their families and children from the societies destructive influences.

General Rules Rights of one’s Relatives Maintaining ties with one’s relations (silatur rahim) is obligatory upon Muslims, and severing those ties (qat‘ur rahim) is one of the major sins.

Since maintaining the ties is obligatory and severing them is a major sin for which Allah has threatened Hell-fire, the need for maintaining the ties becomes more important in foreign lands; and observing this obligation takes greater priority in countries where relations are few, families break up, religious bonds erode, and material values rule supreme. Allah, the Almighty, has forbidden the severing of ties with one’s relatives.

He said in the Holy Book: “But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship!

Those it is whom Allah has cursed so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes.” (47:22) Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said, “A family that is united and whose members support one another, Allah gives them sustenance, even if they be sinners; a family that is divided and severs ties with one another, Allah deprives them [from sustenance], even if they be pious.”[^1] It has been narrated from Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) that: “In the book of ‘Ali [it says], ‘There are three traits whoever possesses them shall not die until he sees their evil consequences: adultery, severing the ties with one’s relations, and a false oath in which Allah is invoked.

Indeed the good deed that expedites reward is maintaining the ties with one’s relations.