It Starts At Home: Virtues of Maintaining Familial Ties

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dear reader,

In Islam, maintaining strong familial ties isn’t just an act of kindness—it’s a profound form of worship that brings blessings in this life and the Hereafter. Allah ﷻ places great emphasis on the importance of family, and the Qur’an and Sunnah are rich with reminders about nurturing these sacred connections.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:

“Oh, mankind! Be mindful of Allah, Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah—in Whose Name you appeal to one another—and honour family ties.” [Surah An-Nisa, verse 1]

But what does maintaining familial ties truly mean in today’s busy world? It’s about more than phone calls and occasional visits. It’s about offering support in times of need, forgiving shortcomings, and extending kindness even when it’s difficult. It’s an act of selflessness that invites the mercy of Allah ﷻ.

Warm regards,
Sunnah Academy

Silat Ar-Rahim is an Obligation Upon All Muslims

In Islam, the concept of maintaining ties of kinship—known as silat ar-rahim—is deeply rooted in our faith. It is not merely a social responsibility but a divine command, emphasized in the Qur’an and Sunnah as a key aspect of a believer’s character. The bonds of kinship, entrusted to us by Allah ﷻ, are sacred, and nurturing them is a pathway to earning His pleasure and mercy.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Divine Command to Uphold Kinship

Allah ﷻ explicitly commands believers to uphold family ties:

“And give to the relative his right, and [also] to the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.” [Surah Al-Isra, verse 26]

Neglecting kinship ties is a grave sin in Islam. In Surah Muhammad, Allah warns of the consequences:

“So would you perhaps, if you [hypocrites] turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision.” [Surah Muhammad, verses 22-23]

These verses remind us that maintaining kinship is not optional but a vital aspect of our worship and obedience to Allah. Severing familial ties is also an attribute of the hypocrites (Munafiqeen).

The Prophet’s ﷺ Powerful Hadith on Kinship

The Prophet ﷺ beautifully illustrated the importance of kinship ties through his words and actions. He said:

“Allah created the creation, and when He finished from His creation the Rahm (womb) got up, and Allah said (to it). ‘Stop! What do you want?’ It said; ‘At this place I seek refuge with You from all those who sever me (i.e. sever the ties of Kinship.)’ Allah said: ‘Would you be pleased that I will keep good relation with the one who will keep good relation with you, and I will sever the relation with the one who will sever the relation with you?’ It said: ‘Yes, oh my Lord.’ Allah said (to it), ‘That is for you.’ [And then Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه recited the Verse:] — ‘Would you then if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari 7502]

This Hadith underscores the weight Allah places on kinship, linking it directly to His mercy. Maintaining these ties is a means to draw closer to Allah and secure His blessings.

The Rewards of Maintaining Kinship Ties

Islam teaches that upholding kinship brings immense rewards, both in this world and the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Anyone who wants to have his provision expanded and his term of life prolonged should maintain ties of kinship.” [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 56]

These rewards reflect the reciprocal nature of Allah’s justice: when we nurture and support our families, we receive blessings in our sustenance, health, and life.

Practical Ways to Uphold Kinship Ties

Maintaining kinship may seem challenging, especially in the face of misunderstandings or conflicts. However, Islam encourages us to rise above personal grievances for the sake of Allah. Here are some practical steps:

1. Reach Out Regularly: Call, message, or visit your relatives to stay connected.
2. Support Financially or Emotionally: Help those in need, whether through financial assistance or a listening ear.
3. Resolve Conflicts: Forgive and seek forgiveness, prioritizing peace over pride.
4. Include Them in Your Duas: Pray for their well-being and guidance.
5. Be Generous in Kindness: Extend warmth and respect to strengthen bonds.

Overcoming Challenges

Sometimes, maintaining kinship ties can be difficult, especially when faced with unkindness or strained relationships. However, Islam teaches us to uphold these ties even when others do not reciprocate.
The Prophet ﷺ said,

“The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him.” [Riyad as-Salihin 322]

This profound teaching reminds us that maintaining kinship is an act of worship done for Allah’s sake, not for worldly acknowledgment or reciprocation.

A Path to Mercy and Paradise

Strengthening kinship ties invites the mercy of Allah into our lives and builds bridges of love, trust, and harmony within our families. Let us strive to reconnect with our relatives, resolve disputes, and embody the teachings of Islam in our relationships.
The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Is there nothing in the path of Allah but fighting? Whoever strives for his parents is in the way of Allah. Whoever strives for his family is in the way of Allah. Whoever strives for himself to be independent is in the way of Allah. Whoever strives to gain many possessions for himself is in the way of Shaitan.” [al-Sunan al-Kubrá lil-Bayhaqī 17824]

May Allah ﷻ guide us to uphold the sacred ties of kinship and grant us the rewards and blessings of doing so. Ameen.