Sila al-Rahim (Ties of Kinship)

Our great religion, Islam, has given a lot of importance to people meeting and talking with each other and living in a society. Sincerity, humility, mutual assistance, courtesy, respect and love are essential for people to get along with each other.

Going and seeing relatives, visiting close ones, asking about their state and health, sharing their joy and sadness and helping relatives is called Sila al-Rahim, which are among our moral duties.

Sila al-Rahim is a religious duty. It is an especially important issue in solving many problems between relatives. In the very least, Sila al-Rahim means being kind and smiling towards our relatives, not neglecting to greet them when we meet, asking about their situation, always thinking good things about them and wishing good for them. Then it is to visit them and to rush to their aid in case of need. Especially calling the elderly from time to time and following up on them if they have an issue will make them happy and we will gain their Du‘ā.

We regret to say that among our values that are on the verge of disappearing in our time, we also see Sila al-Rahim. Because relations between relatives have weakened immensely and new generations have become unrecognizable to their relatives.

Regardless of social, commercial and cultural problems, this duty should not be neglected. Because the Qur’ān al-Karīm and Sunnah have given us the necessary warning in this regard.

The Rasūl of Allah, our beloved Prophet (s.a.w), states the following in the Hadīth al-Sharīfs about keeping in touch and relations between relatives:

– “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honour his guest. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should continue Sila al-Rahim.” (Bukhārī, Adab, 35,85.)

– “A person who breaks the ties of kinship cannot enter Jannah.” (Bukhari, Adab, 11.)

– “Whoever wants his food to be abundant and his life to be long should take care of his relatives.” (al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 5/143)

– “Know well that as long as there are people who have cut off their relations with their relatives, that society will not receive mercy.” (al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 5/164)

With regards to this, the importance of which we are trying to express, I would like to remind our dear brothers who will go on their leave despite the troubles we are experiencing in these days, meaning those who will make Sila al-Rahim: Set your leave to be Sila al-Rahim so that every breath and every step you take would become an Ibādah!

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, kindness, and helping relatives. He also forbids ugliness, evil and rage. Allah advises you so that you ponder.” (Sūrah an-Nahl, Āyah 90)