Ruling on severing the ties of kinship

Q: Who are considered to be someone's kin? What is the ruling on severing the ties of kinship?

A: A kin is anyone related to you by blood ties such as parents, grandparents and their parents, children, grandchildren and their children, brothers and sisters and their children, and aunts and uncles and their children. Severing the ties with any of them without an Islamically lawful reason is one of the major sins. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allâh has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. It is confirmed in an authentic Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise. (Related by Muslim in his "Sahih" book of authentic Hadith.)May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.