The narration forbids unjustified shunning from personal resentment. However, necessary separation to prevent genuine abuse, danger, or harm should not be equated mechanically with vindictive estrangement. Distinct situations involving legitimate religious considerations require their own careful treatment.
For example, someone facing repeated threats may establish safe boundaries while still refraining from lies, insults, and violations of others’ rights.
In فَمَنْ هَجَرَ فَوْقَ ثَلَاثٍ فَمَاتَ, مَنْ conveys a conditional “whoever,” and the prefixed فَـ helps link the consequence.