Keeping ties with a relative severing the ties of kinship

A: Maintaining the ties of kinship is obligatory, and severing them is one of the major sins. Allah (Exalted be He) states, Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk He also states, And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. Until His statement, And give to the kinsman his due and to the Miskîn (poor) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. (Tafsir At-Tabarî) Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayâtîn (devils), and the Shaitân (Devil-Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. And if you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarer whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft kind word (i.e. Allâh will give me and I shall give you). (Part No. 25; Page No. 347) It was authentically reported on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated, anyone who likes that their sustenance should be expanded and their age may be lengthened should maintain the ties of kinship. Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. It was authentically reported on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, The one who maintains ties of kinship is not one who repays good with good, but is the one who joins the ties of kinship when they are severed. Narrated by Al-Bukhari. It was authentically reported on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated, The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne and says, "Anyone who unites me Allah will unite him, and anyone who severs me Allah will sever him." Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. There are many Ayahs and Hadith that stress maintaining the ties of kinship and warn against severing them. You have to visit your relatives as often as possible, even if they do not return your visits. You must treat them well, even if they treat you badly.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.