92ND EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF FAMILY TIES- BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

01-04-1446 AH/04-10-2024 CE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim...

Alhamdu li Llah, wa s Salatu wa s Salaam ala Rasuli Llah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW), his household, Companions and all righteous adherents of his way till the day of resurrection. Blessed are those who strengthen family ties and they are bonafide inheritors of Al-Jannah.

The Qur'an Ayat in vogue for this edition include Qur'an 17:26-27, 4:1, 34:39 & 47:22-23. It says: 'And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want and to the wayfarer: but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Shaytans; and the Shaytan is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful (Qur'an 17:26-27).' Inter-alia, Allah says in Qur'an 4:1 that: '....Fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and be heedful of the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.'

Being heedful of the kindred is an integra part of faith as deposited in the Hadith of the Messenger. 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should untie his kindred.' Particular instance is made of an individual as prodigal in spending on others aside from his dependants. The Hadith of the Messenger is clear on this when it says: 'Whoever has weak relatives and apart from not being good to them he is stupendously showering favour on others, his charity would not only be acceptable but also Almighty Allah will not look his side on the Day of Qiyamah.'

In a similar vein, it was categorically reported from the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) on the account of Hadith Qudsiy (Heavenly Reported Hadith) that Allah (SWT) instructed that: 'I am Ar-Rahman (The Most Beneficent) and that is Ar-Rahm (Womb's cord); whoever unties it I bring him closer and whoever severes it is utterly severed.' This portends that Allah loves who does not severe family ties inspite of all odds.

More importantly, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) prioritize as an index for not only perpetuating wealth but also outright forgiveness of his indecencies should dwell in not severing family ties. His statement reads: 'من سره ان يبسط له في رزقه و ان ينسا له في اثره فليصل رحمه' i.e 'Man sarrahu an yubsata lahu fi rizqihi wa an yunsa'a lahu fi atharihi falyasila rahimahu.' The expedience of this Hadith provision gives clear-cut indication on heeding to the needs of relatives in order to enjoy more favour from Allah even though moderacy is encouraged to inbue in them dignity of labour.

It attracts higher grade of favour for a Believer to receive sharp treatment from families and relatives. In fact, his manner of handling that poses him for assured security and unimaginable blessing. The holy Messenger Muhammad (SAW) disabused mind of unpleasant comments, ill-treatment as well as untowards behaviour from relatives. He said:' The one who is only good to the family may not be qualified as family heedful but the one who keeps on bringing closer the family even after their several attempts to severe it.'

For the purpose of space and time accommodation, the next edition would give further instances on the need to keep together family ties. This shows that severing family ties is as awful as big sin punishable before Allah. Human beings of course may pose difficult in approach and the maturity deployed in handling matters of family relations is of utmost importance. 

To this end, the case of a wealthy man comes to the fore. His relatives approached him for support on errecting their own accommodation but he declined the help. Customarily, none of his biological children was in the country. Until the 99th hour of his life, he called his established children abroad one after the other that 'you are the property at designated area', I gave you Mr B this property and Mrs C that property among his children.' To his chagrin, most of them responded in the mouth of only one child: 'Dad, we don't want to say you are disturbing us. Give them to your siblings, uncles, nieces and the rest at home..... We are pre-occupied here.'

Back home he was calling the relatives one after the other only to be slammed with 'We had received favour from somewhere else as the issue for which we needed your support had been dully settled.' His story later became talk in town just as one of the big properties in a choice area was later confisticated by the State Government.

Fellow readers, you and I have great lessons to learn from the story. Had the wealthy man supported the relatives at the point of need when he was agile and people thronged his residence, he would have been better rewarded. In essence, it might not be out of place to plough back to family and relatives at the actual.moment when we are buoyant even before we are approached for support.

Summarily, a pupil visited his Mentor-Shaykh and he was warmly received. Before departure, the Shaykh concerned his visitor to listen to a counsel which will benefit him alive and hereafter. 'I want you to invest in a Bank that is capable of giving you dividends in both lives.' Suprisingly, the pupil was curious to hear the name of the Bank so that no one could surpass him in such investment. Shaykh dropped the Bank name and the tension was doused. Bank of Sadaqah (Charity)! The pupil thanked Shaykh for giving him indication towards double-edged, everlasting and comparative advantaged investment.

Thanks for patiently reading. We leave you to the care of Almighty Allah, the Sustainer and Inheritor of what is contained in the world over. Till we meet in the next edition, thanks immensely and remain abundantly blessed. Jum'at Mubarakah. Ma'as Salaamah.

© DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN,

Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State.

- Nigeria