Question
Is this narration authentic?
“If you have not spoken to family members for so many years, you are a sign of the end.”
Answer
This seems to be the understood meaning of the Hadiths which mention that severing family ties is a sign of Qiyamah.
1) In a lengthy Hadith recorded by Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah), Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibnul Yaman (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported some signs of Qiyamah from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). One of these signs is “… And they will sever family ties…”
(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 3 pg. 358 with a weak chain. Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 3488. See another part of this Hadith here)
2) Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded another lengthy Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“From among the signs of Qiyamah is that people will maintain ties with distant relatives and strangers but sever ties with close family…”
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 10556. See here)
3) Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded a Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) which states: “[Among the signs of Qiyamah is that] a man will draw his friends close and distance his father…”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2210-2211)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar