Can a Muslim stop speaking to another Muslim for more than three days?

The Prophet ﷺ said it is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three nights, the two meeting and each turning away, and that the better of them is the one who greets first (agreed upon — Sahih al-Bukhari 6077, Sahih Muslim 2560). Three days are pardoned so tempers can settle; beyond that it becomes sinful, and the Prophet ﷺ taught that when deeds are presented to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, everyone is forgiven except two who are estranged, of whom it is said: "Leave these two until they reconcile" (Sahih Muslim 2565). Allah says, "The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your two brothers" (Quran 49:10). Scholars permit a deliberate, temporary hajr for a religious purpose — such as distancing oneself from someone openly persisting in sin when it is likely to bring them back — but that is a matter of considered benefit for people of knowledge, not a cover for personal grudges; likewise, one may keep distance from someone who genuinely harms them while still returning their greeting and wishing them no evil.

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