Islam has attached great importance to maintaining kinship ties.
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| The importance of maintaining kinship ties. |
Islam has attached great importance to maintaining kinship ties. Of course, this kinship refers to blood kinship on the mother's and father's sides. Maintaining ties with relatives on the mother's and father's sides means supporting them with money and advice according to one's ability in times of need. Fulfilling obligatory and recommended rights. Seeking dua in times of happiness and sorrow and standing by them in times of danger and adversity. Exchanging greetings. Asking about good and bad. Pointing out mistakes and forgiving. Blood relatives are: mother, grandmother, grandmother's mother, grandfather, grandfather's father, son, daughter, their children, brother, sister, their children, uncle, aunt, and their children. The Quran and Hadith strongly advise maintaining kinship ties with these people. Regarding the fact that relatives are more deserving of good treatment, Allah Almighty says, ‘Indeed, those who are related by blood have more right to each other.’ (Surah Anfal, verse: 75)
Instructions to maintain kinship ties:
The Holy Quran has instructed maintaining kinship ties. Allah Almighty has placed the advice to maintain good ties with blood relatives on a par with piety and has emphasized caution against severing ties. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says, ‘And fear Allah, in Whose name you call upon one another, and be mindful of your relatives. Indeed, Allah is aware of you.’ (Surah An-Nisa, verse: 01) In another verse, Allah Almighty says, ‘Give to relatives their due, and to the needy and the traveler. This is best for those who ask the pleasure of Allah. It is they who are the successful.’ (Surah Rum, verse: 38).
Improving relationships increases sustenance:
Most of the activities of people day and night revolve around earning a living. Working hard and sweating are mainly done for the purpose of earning a living. Every person wants to increase sustenance and maintain a good reputation. Maintaining good relations with relatives increases sustenance and maintains a good reputation. Maintaining kinship relations has been described in the Hadith Sharif as one of the reasons for increasing sustenance. Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, ‘Whoever likes to have his sustenance increased or his reputation after death, let him be good to his relatives.’ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2067).
Punishable Crimes:
Maintaining good relations with relatives is essential. Severing relations with relatives is a punishable crime. If someone cuts off relations with blood relatives, then Allah Almighty will punish them. Terming severing relations with relatives as a cursed sin, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran, ‘And those who break the covenant of Allah after it has been ratified and sever what Allah has ordered to be maintained and spread corruption in the land, those are the ones on whom is the curse and for them is a severe punishment.’ (Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse: 25). In the Hadith Sharif, severing relations with relatives has been described as a terrible crime. People who cut off the ties of kinship will face its punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Hazrat Abu Bakra (RA) said, The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “There is no sin more serious than rebelling against a just ruler and severing the ties of kinship. Allah will punish it in this world and will leave it for the Hereafter.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2511).
Announcement of severing ties:
It is the duty of every Muslim to maintain good relations with relatives. Because those who maintain relations with blood relatives, Allah will maintain relations with them. On the other hand, those who sever relations with relatives, Allah, the Most Merciful, will sever relations with them. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah created the creation.” When he came out of this, the blood relative stood up and grabbed the arm of the Most Merciful. He said to him, “Stop.” He said, “I have stood here to seek refuge from the one who severs the ties of kinship.” Allah said, ‘Whoever keeps you in relationship, I will keep him in relationship; and whoever cuts off your relationship, I will cut off his relationship. Are you not pleased with that? He said, ‘Yes, my Lord.’ He said, ‘Go, it is done for you.’ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 4830)
True kinship keeper:
There are some relatives who behave well with you but then misbehave. Even if you respect them, they flatter you and ignore you. This is not right at all. It is advisable to behave well with your relatives and maintain good relations even after being treated with contempt. Because only such people are called kinship keepers who try to maintain good relations with them even after being treated with neglect by their relatives. Hazrat Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) said that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘The one who maintains relations with a similar attitude is not the one who maintains relations with a person, but if someone breaks off relations with him and maintains relations with him, then he is the one who establishes relations with him.’ (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1908).
Those who try to maintain good relations with their relatives despite being neglected by their relatives and family members, Allah Almighty appoints a guardian angel for them who always helps them. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) said, A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I have relatives. I treat them well, but they keep me away. I benefit them, but they harm me. I show them tolerance, and they behave foolishly towards me.’ Then he said, ‘If what you say is true, then you are throwing burning coals at them. And there will always be a guardian angel with you against them from Allah as long as you remain in this state.’ (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6419).
Gaining Paradise by Maintaining Relations:
Severing relations with relatives is such a terrible crime that it can deprive the person concerned of Paradise and lead him to Hell! Hazrat Jubair (RA) said, The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘The one who cuts off ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.’ (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1909). In another Hadith, maintaining ties of kinship is called a way to be saved from Hell and enter Paradise. Hazrat Abu Ayyub (RA) said, A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “Tell me about an act that will bring me closer to Paradise and keep me away from Hell.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “You should worship Allah, not associate anything with Him, establish prayer, pay zakat, and maintain ties of kinship.” When that man left, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “If he does what he has been commanded to do, he will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 14).
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