Love for Family and Relatives

“Worship Allah, and ascribe not partners unto Him. And be virtuous toward parents and kinsfolk, toward orphans and the indigent, toward the neighbor who is of kin and the neighbor who is not of kin, toward the companion at your side and the traveler, and toward those whom your right hands possess. Truly God loves not one who is a vainglorious boaster.”
(Surah 4.Nisa, Verse – 36)

Dear brothers and sisters,
Islam emphasizes on keeping good relationships with family and relatives. Being a Muslim, it is obligatory for us to keep good relation with our family members and relatives. It is regarded as a great act of sin if a person cuts off his contacts with any of his relatives. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of his hadith: “Whosoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him keep the ties of relations.” (Bukhari). In another narration, He (PBUH) said: “Whoever violates the rights of relatives shall not go to Paradise.”
Spending on kinship has become a neglected responsibility, to the point that you can easily find people who will invite a friend to a classy restaurant and never spend a dime on their cousin. They offer valuable gifts and even money to their peers and co-workers while their parents are in dire situations. But Allah said to the Prophet: “They ask you what they should spend. Say, “Let whatever of your wealth you spend be for parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the indigent, and the traveler. Whatever good you do, truly Allah knows it.” (2:15)
So, we should visit our relatives, inquire about their matters, spend on them and give them sadaqa if they are poor. It is obligatory upon every-one of us to maintain a good relationship with our relatives by showing respect, love and sympathy to them. We should try to be a good support for them at times of tribulations and share with them glorious moments. Because having stable and positive relationships with your family and relatives can make us happier and more fulfilled.

Jobayer Al Mahmud
Student, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey