Severing the ties of kinship if causing harm

Q 2: The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, a person who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise. He (peace be upon him) also said, Allah says: I am Al-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and you are Al-Rahim (the womb i.e. the source of mercy among humans.) Thus, whoever preserves your ties, I will preserve ties with him and whoever cuts your ties, I will cut ties with him. Ties of kinship must be maintained with people like sisters, maternal or paternal aunts, nieces and the like, and we know that daughters of the maternal or paternal aunts are not permitted to uncover their faces before me.However, we live in a remote and uncultured area where women do not adhere to Hijab (veil). When a man visits his maternal or paternal aunt, he has to shake hands with her daughters; otherwise, his aunt will rebuke him and become angry with him. Is it permissible for a Muslim to stop visiting his aunt until he finds her alone?

A: Maintaining the ties of kinship is an obligation under the Shari`ah (Islamic law), and maternal and paternal aunts are among those whom a Muslim must maintain good ties with. However, if this causes harm by the presence of his aunt's daughters who are not Mahram (unmarriageable relatives) to him and he cannot stop the Shari`ah violations they commit, it will not become obligatory. A Muslim should visit his aunts at proper times in which he avoids mixing with non-Mahram women. Also, he should explain the Shari`ah rule to his aunt, that a man is not permitted to shake hands with non-Mahram women. (Part No. 25; Page No. 343) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.