[ Masjid - ul - Muttaqeen ]

Islam has recognized the ties of kinship in an unparalleled fashion. It enjoins upon the believers to uphold ties of kinship and it condemns those who break this tie.

Allah says in Sura 17:
“Your lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to your parents… And render to the relatives their due rights…”

Upholding the ties of kinship, relatives and relations is one of the major principles in Islam. It is one of the most characteristic features of Islamic law.
The Rasool (SAW) has said:
“The person who breaks the ties of kinship will never enter paradise.”

As believers, we should take heed of these simple yet weighty words of our blessed Prophet (SAW).

The Prophet (SAW) has also said:
“All creatures are Allah’s family and those dearest to Allah are those who treat Allah’s family with kindness.”

And in yet another narration he (SAW) has also mentioned:
“Show mercy to those who are on the earth and He who is in the heavens will have mercy on you.”

So there are great rewards for those believers who maintain ties with their relatives. And from amongst our relatives, Allah has raised the status and respect for one’s parents, placing it above all other relationships and just one step after belief in Allah. So after possessing faith and belief in Allah, then the best good deed one can perform is treating one’s parents well.

Allah encourages the believer to love, respect and treat his parents well, since the mother endured great difficulty in giving birth to him and nurturing him and the father sacrificed in providing for his upbringing.

Allah commands in Sura 31, verse 14:
“Show gratitude to Me and to your parents.”

And Allah said in a Hadith Qudsi mentioned in Sahih Bukhari:
“I am Ar-Rahmaan, the Most Merciful. And I have created Rahim, Kinship, and derived its name from My name. Whosoever takes care of it, I will take care of him and whosoever cuts it off, I will forsake him.”

When a believer treats his relatives with kindness and respect, he earns two rewards with his Lord, one for maintaining the relationship and another for giving charity, when he gives towards them.

The Prophet (SAW) has said:
“Charity given to a poor person is charity, and charity given to a relative earns two rewards, one for given charity and one for upholding the ties of kinship.”

The ties of kinship include spending to help one’s relatives in need, as well as visiting them, speaking kindly to them, even giving advice and displaying compassion and support all constitute to maintaining family ties.

The Prophet (SAW) also said:
“Maintain your ties of kinship even if it is merely with a greeting.”
And Allah warns us about a severe punishment if we fail to uphold family ties. He mentions in Sura Ra’d, verse 25:
“And those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and severe that which Allah has commanded to be joined and make mischief in the earth, there is the curse and for them is an evil abode/dwelling place (hell).”

The Prophet (SAW) has advised upholding and maintaining family ties, even if the believer is treated unkindly and harshly by his relatives.
A man came to the Prophet (SAW) and said:
“O Messenger of Allah (SAW), I have relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I am patient and kind towards them, but they insult me.”
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“…Allah will continue to support you as long as you continue to do that.”

The Prophet (SAW) has advised to be patient and to continue doing good towards relatives and blood ties even though they may not reciprocate this action. Your reward will be with Allah. Uphold the ties of kinship no matter what the circumstances, do so for the pleasure of Allah and Allah will certainly reward such an action, Inshaa Allah.

The Prophet (SAW) said:
“The tie of kinship is suspended from the throne of Allah and it says: Whosoever supports me, Allah will support him and whosoever cuts me of, Allah will cut him off.”

Those who severe and neglect family bonds, are indeed from amongst the unfortunate. May Allah save us from this and may He may allow us to truly fulfill our duties and obligations to our relatives.

Ameen.