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Lesson Keeping the Ties of Kinship
It is involving relatives in good deeds, being benevolent towards them, showing them kindness, having compassion towards them, visiting them and checking on them, and spending on them if they are ever in need.
The texts of the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ urge keeping the ties of kinship and prohibit severing relations. Allah says, describing the disbeliever: (those who violate Allah’s covenant after it has been affirmed, break whatever ˹ties˺ Allah has ordered to be maintained, and spread corruption in the land. It is they who are the ˹true˺ losers.) [Al-Baqarah:27] Allah also says: (Now if you ˹hypocrites˺ turn away, perhaps you would then spread corruption throughout the land and sever your ˹ties of˺ kinship!) [Muhammed:22]
The Prophet said ﷺ: «And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him uphold his ties of kinship.» (Al-Bukhari, 6138) He also said: «Allah created the creation until when he finished creating it, the womb said: Is this the position of one who seeks refuge in you from severing ties? He said: "Yes. Are you not pleased that I join the one that joins you and cut off the one who cuts you off? The womb said: "Yes, Lord." He said: "Then it is yours.» The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «Recite if you wish: (Now if you ˹hypocrites˺ turn away, perhaps you would then spread corruption throughout the land and sever your ˹ties of˺ kinship!).» [Muhammad:22] (Al-Bukhari, 5987, Muslim, 2554)
The legislation commands that kinship ties be kept based on the closeness of relation and kin.
The ties of Kinship that are Obligatory to Keep
It is the ties of kinship that are connected by the womb, such as parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and paternal and maternal uncles and aunts.
Ties of Kinship that are Recommended to Keep.
It is the relationship of kinship that is not from the 'mahrams', such as cousins, nephews, and so on.
How to keep the ties of kinship?
Keeping the ties of kinship is to convey all forms of good possible and repel from them all forms of evil according to one's ability. So it is possible to do so with greetings and speech, or with money and support according to need or repel evil from them, meet them with a pleasant face, and supplicate for them, etc.
Examples of Keeping the Ties of Kinship
Virtues of keeping the ties of kinship include:
1- It causes compassion among relatives and strengthens family ties.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «Learn enough about your lineage to facilitate keeping your ties of kinship. For indeed keeping the ties of kinship encourages affection among the relatives, increases the wealth, and increases the lifespan.» (At-Tirmidhi, 1979).
2- It expands a person's livelihood and lifespan.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «He who is pleased that his means of sustenance should be expanded for him or his age may be lengthened, should join the ties of kinship» (Al-Bukhari 2067, Muslim 2557).
3- Allah connects those who connect the ties of kinship.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ: « Allah created the creation until when he finished creating it, the womb said: This is the position of one who seeks refuge in you from severing it." He said: "Yes, do you not accept that I connect with him who connected you and cut off those who cut you?" It said: "Yes, O Lord." He said: "Then it is for you.» (Al-Bukhari 5987, Muslim 2554).
4- Keeping the ties of kinship is a reason for entering Paradise.
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ about a deed that would lead him to heaven, and he said to him: «Worship Allah and never associate anything with Him in worship, establish the prayer, pay Zakat (obligatory charity), and strengthen the ties of kinship.» (Al-Bukhari, 1396, Muslim, 13).
