Definition of Kinship
The linguistic meaning of the Arabic word “al-Rahm” (kinship) means the womb) but it is used metaphorically to mean the father’s family, i.e., those who share the same lineage with you. However, as a term in religion, it is of two kinds: (i)  those who forbidden for the person to marry (unmarriageable relatives): this refers to every two persons who, if one were male and the other female, it would not be permissible for them to marry each other like fathers and mothers, siblings, grandparents, no matter how high the ascendant generation extend, children and grandchildren, no matter how far the line of descending reaches, and uncles and aunts. (ii) those who are lawful to marry, which includes anyone else other than those who are unmarriageable such as paternal and maternal cousins.
2. How to Uphold the Ties of Kinship
Maintaining ties of kinship is subject to the norms and customs of people. Hence, whatever would the customs and norms of people deem to be joining kinship, it would be accepted, and the actions that people consider to be a cutting off the ties of kinship will be considered so. It refers to every action you commit towards your relative by which you are considered to be maintaining the ties of kinship, which could be, sometimes, by means of offering them money, fulfilling their needs, helping them or visiting them. The same applies to the kinship who are not present, as upholding the ties of kinship with them could be done by texting them or asking others to convey greetings and so on. It involves using good and kind words while addressing and talking with them, asking about their life, excusing their faults and shortcomings, and helping them. The way a person can uphold the ties of kinship varies from one to another as it depends on how close the kinship is and their needs.