لَيْسَ الْوَاصِلُ بِالْمُكَافِئِ وَلَكِنِ الْوَاصِلُ الَّذِي إِذَا قُطِعَتْ رَحِمُهُ وَصَلَهَا
The one who maintains family ties is not merely a person who reciprocates; rather, it is one who keeps the tie even when relatives cut it off.
Source: البخاري
الْوَاصِلُ is the person who maintains family ties, while الْمُكَافِئِ is the one who merely reciprocates. وَلَكِنِ introduces the higher criterion after negating a limited definition. إِذَا قُطِعَتْ رَحِمُهُ expresses a condition; وَصَلَهَا describes reconnecting.
Returning kindness is good, but the narration points toward sustaining appropriate goodwill when relatives withdraw. Maintaining ties does not require exposing oneself or others to abuse; safe boundaries may be needed while remaining fair and compassionate.