Maintaining Kinship Ties

   One of the traits that distinguishes the Islamic religion is its call for reform. The Islamic call for reform is based on reforming what needs to be reformed and securing what needs to be secured. These traits are shown greatly in the rules of Islam that are relevant to family life. Allah commanded us to build a strong family and to work to keep its strength. Upholding the ties of kinship makes families more and more connected and united.

Islam guides us to all types of success and to anything that will make our lives better. It also warns us that sometimes seeking a specific achievement may lead to ignoring precious values. Allah said in Surah Al-Nisa, Ayah 1: ”And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs.” (وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامِ). He gave us a crystal-clear command to maintain family and kinship ties. It is true when it is said that your family is everything. Your family is your first line of defence; if it falls, many things may fall too.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Allah created all the creatures and when He finished the task of His creation, Ar-Rahm (ties of relationship) said: ‘(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You against severing my ties.’ Allah said: ‘That I treat with kindness those who treat you with kindness and sever ties with those who sever ties with you.’ It said: ‘I am satisfied.’ Allah said: ‘Then this is yours”. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Recite this Ayah if you like: ‘Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight”.

     Who is included in kinship?

   They are the fathers, the mothers, the grandparents, children and their children, brothers, sisters and their children, paternal uncles, paternal aunts and their children, maternal uncles, maternal aunts, and their children. Bahz ibn Hakim’s grandfather said, “I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then to whom should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your father,’ he replied, ‘and then the next closest relative and then the next.'”

     Reward of maintaining kinship ties  

  Maintaining kinship ties has various rewards and amazing benefits. It is a sign of faith, as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the ties of blood relationship.”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) defines what believing in Allah and the Day of Judgment should involve; it comes with maintaining kinship ties. It is also a reason that Allah will have mercy upon the person who commits himself to this duty. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The word ‘Ar-Rahm (womb) derives its name from Ar-Rahman (i.e., one of the Names of Allah) and Allah said: ‘I will keep good relation with the one who will keep good relation with you, (womb, i.e. Kith and Kin) and sever the relation with him who will sever the relation with you, (womb, i.e. Kith and Kin).”

A person might wonder how Allah will keep a good relation with him. This good relation can be described as the mercy of Allah, the providence from Allah, the blessing from Allah, and the facilitation of affairs.

If you are asking about an easy deed that can lead you to Jannah, it should be maintaining kinship ties. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The people of Jannah will be of three kinds: A just successful ruler, a man who shows mercy to his relatives, and a pious believer who has a large family and refrains from begging.” Allah described Jannah and the people of Jannah in many Surahs and Ayahs: ”Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.”

Ways to Maintain Kinship Ties

• Expressing love and respect for everyone
• Honouring your parents
• Spending good times with the family
• Supporting those who need help
• Visiting each other and making phone calls to family members
• Exchanging gifts
• Sharing good and sad occasions
• Encouraging each other to worship Allah in the best way
• Spreading peace and responding to greetings
• Visiting the sick