بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
اَلَّلهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَـلَّمْ وَبَأّرَکْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَأّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِيْن.
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي. وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي. وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي. يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي.
Today we will talk about the importance of strengthening family ties.
Maintaining family ties is a fundamental aspect of our deen. It is emphasized in the teachings of Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah says in the Quran (4:36):
وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًۭا وَبِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْجَارِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْجَارِ ٱلْجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلْجَنۢبِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًۭا فَخُورًا ٣٦
“And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful” (Quran 4:36).
This verse underscores the comprehensive nature of maintaining family ties, encompassing not only parents but also relatives, neighbors, and those in need. It emphasizes the importance of treating all family members with kindness and respect, regardless of their status or relationship.
Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized the significance of maintaining family ties through his words and actions.
He said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relation with his kith and kin” (Bukhari, Muslim).
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ “ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should unite the bond of kinship (ie keep good relation with his kith and kin); and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should talk what is good or keep quiet”.
This hadith teaches us that believing in Allah and the Last Day should lead to three important values:
1. we should be generous when hosting guests.
2. Secondly, we should maintain good relations with our family members.
3. Lastly, we should speak kindly or remain silent if there is nothing positive to say.
These values are essential for a successful life as they help us build strong relationships with others while also pleasing Allah SWT. We must remember that our actions reflect our faith so it is important to practice these values even when no one is watching us!
Further, this Hadith highlights the integral connection between faith in Allah and maintaining family ties, underscoring its importance in the life of a believer.
Ramadan serves as an opportunity for families to come together, strengthen bonds, and foster a sense of unity and harmony. It is a time for shared meals, prayers, and reflections, providing a unique opportunity for family members to support and uplift one another in their spiritual journey.
Ramadan encourages us on acts of kindness, generosity, and charity towards family members and relatives.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity begins at home” (Muslim), emphasizing the priority of supporting one’s family members and relatives in times of need.
Ramadan also provides a platform for resolving conflicts, reconciling differences, and forgiving past grievances among family members. It is a time for humility, compassion, and forgiveness, fostering an environment of love and understanding within the family unit.
In this Ramadan, let us prioritize strengthening our bonds with family, relatives, and neighbors. And let us strive to mend any strained relationships, forgive past grievances, and spread love and harmony within our families and communities.
وَآخِرُ دَعْوَاهُمْ أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ نَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ نَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ.
وَصَلَّـى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاَلِهِ وَاَصْحَابِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ.