The Official Website of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

Socializing and establishing a constructive relationship with others is one of the most important psychological needs of human beings. In fact, living a social life is an inherent part of human nature as it is the society that makes it possible for humans to improve the quality of their lives. In fact, socialization helps one to better understand themselves and to discover their abilities and weaknesses. However, maintaining relationships with one's kin or “Silat al-Rahim” with sinful relatives can be temporarily forsaken whenever it is likely to result in corruption, or if abandoning it results in forbidding the evil (al-Nahy an al-Munkar). Except for these two circumstances, “Silat al-Rahim” must be observed at least to its incumbent level. However, enj o i ning the good and forbidding the evil in a friendly manner must not be forgotten either. There is no problem in socializing with non-Muslims on the condition that they have no animosity against Islam and Muslims. Rather, indeed, it is advisable to treat them kindly.