RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS

RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS Their Rights A Muslim is required to maintain a good relationship with his relatives. According to a saying of the Prophet, we should visit our relatives, enquire about their circumstance, spend on them and give them sadaqa (voluntary charity) if they are poor. According to another Hadith, if any one of our relatives does not treat us well, even then we have to treat him well. As we know, Islam enjoins us not only to be good to those who are good to us, but also to be good to those who are not good to us. This shows exemplary moral character according to the standard of Islam. Here are some relevant verses of the Quran: Give your relatives their due… (17: 26) God commands justice, kindness and giving to near relatives…. (16: 90) …And show kindness to your parents and to near relatives…(4: 36) The essence of Islam is thus to serve God and do good to our fellow men. The worship of God is linked with kindness to parents, kindred, and those in want. It is not a matter of verbal kindness. They have certain rights which must be fulfilled. From the Quran and traditions we find that the institution of the family can only be maintained by feelings of well-wishing and kindness. So the Islamic laws of morality and decency must be observed. If we want to earn God’s pleasure and blessings we must abide by the Quranic injunctions, and extend our full support to our relatives. Rights of Neighbours ”Do you know what the rights of neighbours are?” asked the Prophet. And then he went on to give a list: ”Help him if he asks for your help. Give him relief if he seeks relief from you. Give him a loan if he needs one. Show him concern if he is distressed. Nurse him when he is ill. Attend his funeral if he dies. Congratulate him if he meets with any good. Sympathise with him if any calamity befalls him.”