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Fatwa CenterThe minimum required to maintain kinship ties
Question
Asalamo alaikoum, Islam places much focus on Family Relations or "Silat Arahem", we understand as Muslims to always have a good relationship with our families. However, my situation is different as I am unable to socialize and communicate properly with other people due to emotional/psychological circumstances whether such people are relatives or not. My question to be exact is 1) what is the "minimum" relations and 2) to include who (i.e., grandparents, parents, brothers/sisters and their children, uncles/aunts and their children, further extended family). that I should maintain relations with in order to qualify in the sight of God as someone who has kept "silat arahem". May Allah place guidance in all your answers that you had provided in the past and continue to provide insha'Allah, thank you.
Answer
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.
We thank you for being keen on keeping ties with your kinship, because keeping ties with the kinship is one of the great acts by which one gets closer to Allaah. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 84358 and 82547.
There is no standard by which to decide that one has kept ties with his kinship, but this depends on the customs; this could be achieved by visiting them, calling them or gifting them and the like.
As regards the relatives whom one is obliged to keep ties with [depending on how close or far they are], then there is a difference of opinion among the scholars 
on this issue; the most preponderant opinion is that all relatives whom one (a male or a female) is permanently not permitted to marry, like the parental and maternal uncles and aunts.
As regards your psychological and emotional circumstances, then this is a matter which you can treat. Therefore, you should take the initiative to do so, first by seeking the Help of Allaah, and then by consulting trustworthy doctors. Seeking treatment for your condition may help you get rid of many difficulties in your life.
Allaah Knows best.
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