ON MAINTAINING FAMILY TIES AND THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS

Allâh says: “Continually fear Allâh through Whom you ask of one another, and be mindful of your relatives.” [81] In other words, fear breaking off ties with your relatives.

Allâh says: “It is also expected of you that when you are given authority, you will cause corruption in the land and sever your relations Such are those whom Allâh cursed. He thus made them deaf and made their eyes blind.” [82]

Allâh says: “Who break the covenant of Allâh after its strengthening, and sever that which Allâh has ordered to be joined and make mischief in the land, it is they who are the losers.” [83]

Allâh says: “Those who break the covenant of Allâh after its strengthening, and sever that which Allâh ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land, it is they who are cursed and for them is an evil abode.” [84]

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrate on the authority of Abû Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Allâh created the entire creation. When He completed creating them, family ties stood up and said: ‘This is the place of the person who seeks refuge in You from being severed.’ Allâh said: ‘Yes. Will it not please you that I maintain those who maintain ties with you and I sever those who sever you?’ Family ties replied: ‘Indeed.’ Allâh said: ‘That will be for you.’ The Messenger of Allâh then said: ‘Read the following verse if you wish: ‘It is also expected of you that when you are given authority, you will cause corruption in the land and sever your relations Such are those whom Allâh cursed. He thus made them deaf and made their eyes blind.’” [85] This Hadîth is also related by Imâm Tirmidhî rahimahullâh who said that it is a good and authentic Hadîth. It is also related by Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh. Al-Hâkim rahimahullâh also narrated it and said that it has an authentic chain of narrators.

Abû Bakrah says that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There is no sin more deserving to be punished for in this world together with the punishment that is in store in the hereafter than rebellion and severing of relationships.” Another Hadîth states: “The person who severs will not enter Paradise.” Sufyân said: “In other words, the person who severs relationships.”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates through reliable narrators that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The deeds of mankind are presented every Thursday and the night before Friday. The deeds of the person who severs relationships are not accepted.”

Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh and others narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Three types of people will not enter Paradise: the one who is addicted to intoxicants, the person who severs relationships and the person who believes in magic.”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, Ibn Abî Dunyâ rahimahullâh and al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “A group from this ummah will spend the night eating, drinking, playing and amusing themselves. The next morning they would have been distorted into monkeys and pigs. The punishments of being swallowed by the earth and pelted will afflict them to such an extent that people will say: ‘So and so family was swallowed by the earth last night. The house of so and so was swallowed by the earth last night. Stones will be sent upon them from the skies as they were sent upon the people of Lût . These stones will rain upon specific tribes and specific houses. A wind that is devoid of any goodness which destroyed the ‘Âd nation will be sent upon specific tribes and specific houses on account of their consuming intoxicants, wearing silk, taking singing women, devouring interest, severing family ties, and another practice which Ja‘far [the narrator forgot].”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates in his al-Awsat that Jâbir said: “Once, the Messenger of Allâh came to us when we were sitting together. He addressed us saying: ‘O group of Muslims! Fear Allâh and maintain your family ties for there is no reward swifter than maintaining family ties. Beware of rebellion for there is no punishment swifter than the punishment for rebellion. Beware of disobeying parents. Surely the fragrance of Paradise is experienced from a distance of 1000 year’s journey. By Allâh, the person who disobeys his parents, the person who severs family ties, an old man who commits adultery, and the person who allows his lower garment [pants or trousers] to drag below his ankles will not experience the fragrance of Paradise. Surely, pride is reserved for Allâh, the Sustainer of the worlds.”

Al-Asbahânî rahimahullâh narrates: “We were sitting with the Messenger of Allâh when he said: ‘A person who has severed family ties should not sit with us today.’ So a young man got up from the circle and went to an aunt of his with whom he had some argument. He asked her for forgiveness and she forgave him. He then returned to the assembly. The Prophet then said: ‘The mercy of Allâh does not descend on a people among whom a person who severs family ties is sitting.’”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates: “The angels do not descend on a people among whom a person who severs family ties is sitting.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates through an authentic chain on the authority of al-A‘mash who said: “Ibn Mas‘ûd was sitting after the fajr salâh in a circle of people. He said: ‘I take an oath in the name of Allâh that the person who has severed family ties should leave our assembly because we want to supplicate to our Sustainer, for surely the gates of the heavens are closed to the person who severs family ties.’”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrate: “Family ties is suspended to the throne of Allâh saying: ‘MayAllâh maintain the person who maintains me. May Allâh sever the person who severs me.’” This Hadîth is also narrated by Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh and Imâm Tirmidhî rahimahullâh. The latter says that this is a good and authentic Hadîth.

‘Abd ar-Rahmân ibn ‘Auf says: “I heard the Messenger of Allâh saying: ‘Allâh says: ‘I am Allâh. I am the merciful. I created family ties and derived its name from My name. So I shall maintain he who maintains it, and sever he who severs it.’”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates through an authentic chain that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The worst form of interest is looking out for ways to unduly disparage a Muslim. This family ties is an interlocking tree from the Merciful [Allâh]. Allâh makes Paradise unlawful to the person who severs it.”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh and Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Family ties is an interlocking tree from the Merciful. It says: ‘O my Sustainer! I have been severed. O my Sustainer! I have been wronged. O my Sustainer! I have been oppressed. O my Sustainer! O my Sustainer!’ Allâh replied by saying: ‘Are you not pleased that I will maintain he who maintains you, and sever he who severs you?’”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Family ties is a curved needle holding on to the throne ofAllâh . It speaks with an eloquent tongue: ‘O Allâh! Maintain the one who maintains me, sever the one who severs me.’ Allâh replies: ‘I am the Merciful, the Beneficent. I derived the name family ties from My name. Therefore, I shall maintain he who maintains it and sever he who severs it.’”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There are three things that are holding on to the throne ofAllâh : (1) Family ties. It says: ‘O Allâh! I am holding on to You, I should therefore not be severed.’ (2) Trustworthiness. It says: ‘O Allâh! I am holding on to You, I should therefore not be cheated.’ (3) Bounties. It says: ‘O Allâh! I am holding on to you, ungratefulness should therefore not be shown to me.’”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh and al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “A stamp is suspended on the pillar of the throne. When family ties complains, when evils are committed and when people become audacious towards Allâh , He send this stamp in order to stamp the person’s heart [who commits any of these sins]. He therefore cannot comprehend anything thereafter.”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who believes in Allâh and the last day should be hospitable to his guest. He who believes in Allâh and the last day should maintain his family ties. He who believes in Allâh and the last day should say good words or else, remain silent.”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who likes that his sustenance be expanded for him and his life-span be extended should maintain his family ties.”

Abû Hurayrah narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allâh saying: “He who likes that his sustenance be expanded for him and his life-span be extended should maintain his family ties.” Narrated by Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh. The words as related by Imâm Tirmidhî rahimahullâh are: “Learn of your lineage whereby you could maintain your family ties. Surely the maintaining of family ties creates love among the family, increases wealth and gives extension in life-span.”

‘Abdullâh ibn Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates in Zawâ’id al-Musnad, al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh through a good chain, and al-Hakim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who likes that his life-span be extended, his sustenance be expanded and an evil death be repulsed from him should fear Allâh and maintain his family ties.”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The following is written in the Taurâh: ‘He who likes that his life-span and sustenance be expanded should maintain his family ties.’”

Abû Ya‘lâ rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “It is through charity and maintaining family ties that Allâh gives expansion in life, repulses an evil death, and repulses disliked and dangerous things.”

Abû Ya‘lâ rahimahullâh narrates on the authority of a person from Khath‘am who said: “I came to the Prophet while he was in the company of his Companions. I said to him: ‘Are you the one who claims that you are the Messenger of Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Yes.’ I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allâh! Which deeds are the most beloved in the sight of Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Belief in Allâh.’ I asked: ‘Then which deed, O Messenger of Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Maintaining family ties.’ I asked: ‘Which deeds are most disliked to Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Ascribing partners to Allâh.’ I asked: ‘Then which deed, O Messenger of Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Severing family ties.’ I asked: Then which deed, O Messenger of Allâh?’ He replied: ‘Commanding evil and prohibiting good.’”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrate: A Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allâh while he was on a journey, he took hold of the camel’s halter or its reins and then said: “O Messenger of Allâh! Or, O Muhammad! Tell me of something that would take me closer to Paradise and further away from the Hell-fire.” The Prophet stopped, looked among his Companions and said: “This person has been inspired, or he has been guided. What was your question?” He repeated it, so the Prophet said: “That you worship Allâh without ascribing anything to Him, you establish the salâh, you give the zakâh and you maintain family ties…You may now leave the camel.” Another narration states: “and you maintain your family ties.” When this person turned around to leave, the Messenger of Allâh said: “If he holds on to what I ordered him, he shall enter Paradise.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Allâh causes a people to inhabit homes and increases wealth for them, and He never looked at them with hatred from the time He created them.” He was asked: “How is that, O Messenger of Allâh?” He replied: “Because of their maintaining their family ties.”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The person who has been blessed with kindness has been given his share of the best of this world and the hereafter. Maintaining family ties, being a good neighbour and having good character are qualities that cause homes to be inhabited [closely knit families] and increase the life-span.”

Abû ash-Shaykh rahimahullâh, Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh and al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrate: “O Messenger of Allâh! Who is the best of people?” He replied: “He among you who is most fearful of his Sustainer, who maintains family ties the most, who commands good the most, and who prohibits evil the most.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh narrate on the authority of Abû Dharr who said: “My beloved friend, [the Messenger of Allâh ] advised me to adopt certain good qualities: he advised me not to look at he who is above me. I should rather look at he who is below me. He advised me to love the poor and to remain close to them. He advised me to maintain my family ties even if they turn away. He advised me not to fear the criticism of critics in matters concerning Allâh . He advised me to say the truth even if it is bitter. He advised me to read the following supplication profusely for it is one of the treasures of Paradise:

“There is no strength and power except from Allâh.”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh, Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh and others narrate on the authority of Maymûnah radiyallâhu ‘anhâ that she freed a girl that belonged to her without seeking permission from the Prophet . When it was her day in which he came to her, she said to him: “O Messenger of Allâh! Did you hear that I freed the girl that belonged to me?” He replied: “Yes. However, had you given her to your maternal aunts, it would have been more rewarding for you.”

Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate that a person came to the Prophet and said: “I have committed a very serious sin. Is there a chance for me to repent?” He asked: “Do you have a mother?” He replied: “No.” He asked: “Do you have a maternal aunt?” He replied: “Yes.” He said: “Go and be dutiful to her.”

Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh and others narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “A person who maintains family ties with those who maintain them with him is not a true maintainer of family ties. Rather, a true maintainer is he who maintains ties with those who sever ties with him.”

Imâm Tirmidhî rahimahullâh narrates: “Do not be opportunists by saying: ‘If people are good to us, we will be good to them. If they wrong us, we will wrong them.’ Rather, you should habituate yourselves into doing good to those who are good to you, and that if they wrong you, you do not wrong them.”

Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrates [that a person asked]: “O Messenger of Allâh! I have relatives with whom I maintain family ties. However, they sever ties with me. I do good to them, but they do harm to me. I am forbearing towards them, but they act ignorantly towards me.” He replied: “If you really are as you say, then it is as though you are placing hot ash in their mouths.Allâh will always remain your helper against them as long as you remain like this.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh, Ibn Khuzaymah rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate: “The best charity is to one’s relative who bears internal enmity towards you.” This is the meaning of the Prophet’s words: “That you maintain family ties with those who sever them.”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh, at-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “If three qualities are found in a person, Allâh will give him a very easy reckoning and enter him into Paradise by His mercy.” The Companions y asked: “What are these qualities, O Messenger of Allâh?” He replied: “You give to the one who deprives you, you maintain family ties with the one who severs them, and you pardon the one who wrongs you. If you do this, He will admit you into Paradise.”

Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Âmir who said: “I met the Messenger of Allâh so I held his hand and asked: ‘O Messenger of Allâh! Tell me what the most virtuous deeds are.’ He replied: ‘O ‘Uqbah! Maintain family ties with the one who severs you, give to the one who deprives you, pardon the one who wrongs you.’” al-Hâkim rahimahullâh adds: “Listen! The person who desires that his life-span be extended and his sustenance be expanded should maintain his family ties.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates: “Should I not show you the noblest qualities of this world and the hereafter? Maintain family ties with the one who severs you, give to the one who deprives you, and pardon the one who wrongs you.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates: “The most virtuous of deeds is that you maintain family ties with he who severs you, you give to the one who deprives you and you pardon the one who is abusive towards you.”

Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates: “Should I not show you that with which Allâh raises the ranks?” And according to a narration of at-Tabarânî: “Should I not inform you of that with which Allâh elevates buildings and raises the ranks?” The Companions yreplied: “Indeed, O Messenger of Allâh!” He replied: “You be forbearing to the one who acts ignorantly towards you, you pardon the one who wrongs you, you give to the one who deprives you, you maintain family ties with the one who severs you.”

Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The good that is swiftest in procuring reward is being dutiful and maintaining family ties. The evil that is swiftest in procuring punishment is rebellion and severing family ties.”

At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There is no sin more deserving that its punishment be hastened in this world together with the punishment that is in store for him in the hereafter than severing family ties, treachery and lying. And the good that is swiftest in procuring reward is maintaining family ties. So much so that even if members of a family are sinful, their wealth increases and their numbers increase if they maintain family ties.”