Silatu-Rahim, or maintaining kinship ties, is an important Islamic principle that involves treating relatives with courtesy, concern, gifts, visits when possible, helping those in need, and upholding their rights. It includes visiting the sick, accepting invitations, sharing happy and sad moments, and showing respect to elders. Severing kinship ties is strongly discouraged in Islam as it can lead to various negative consequences and is a sin. The document provides several hadith and Quranic verses emphasizing the importance of upholding kinship relations.

2. ?
• Silatu- Rahim means maintaining the bonds of kinship
• It means dealing with relatives with courtesy and concern
• Supporting them with our means and warding off bad
things.
• Visiting the relatives, asking about them, checking on them,
• Giving them gifts when possible,
• Helping their poor members,
• Visiting their sick and helping to relieve their misery
• Accepting their invitations,
• Having them as guests, feeling proud of them
• Show kindness to younger relatives and honor elders.
• Joining the relatives in their happy moments,
• Sharing their sadness in their sad moments

3. • “Ar-Rahim is the womb of the mother
• It stands for family ties knowing that it was the
first source from which they were produced"
• In Islamic terminology, Ar-Rahim means family
bonds and relations, something we refer to in
English as kinship relationships.
• Silah, which literally means connecting, is used
often in conjunction with rahim, and so Silatu ar-
rahim means to join the ties of kinship by treating
one's relatives fairly and compassionately

4. • Generally speaking, ar rahim has a broad and a particular
meaning.
• The broad one includes all the believers and that is
ar-rahim of religion,
• Then there is the one pertaining to all relatives of any
person from the father's and the mother's sides which is the
one concerning us in this issue.
• Know that each one of them has a number of due rights
over you.
• Allah revealed this verse regarding ar-rahim, which many
Muslims throughout the world recognize, since they hear it
every Friday from their Imams as part of the introduction of
the khutbah (which means): "And fear Allah through Whom
you ask one another; and the wombs." [Quran 4: l]

5. Our parents, who have sacrificed much of their lives to
make us strong and worthy human beings.
Brothers and sisters with whom we shared the same womb
Grand parents
Uncless,
Aunts
Cousins from both the paternal and maternal sides.

6. • Upholding the ties of kinship means kind
treatment of relatives according to the position of
each of them.
• Sometimes it may be by:
 Giving money,
Serving them,
Visiting them, or
Greeting them, and so on.
(Sharh Muslim:2/201).

7. • The kindred (arhaam) are the blood relatives on your
mother’s and father’s sides.
• They are the ones meant in the verses in which Allah
(SWT) says: “But kindred by blood are nearer to one
another (regarding inheritance) in the decree
ordained by Allah” [Anfaal 8:57; Ahzaab 33:6]
• The closest of them are fathers, mothers,
grandparents, children and their children, no matter
how far the line of descent goes.
• The relatives of each spouse are not kindred of the
other spouse, but they should still be treated kindly
Fataawa Islamiyyah (4/195)

8. • To maintain a good relationship with them by
showing respect, love and sympathy.
• Be there for them when they need you.
• Go visit them at times of sickness and be a good
support at times of tribulations.
• Share with them glorious moments.
• Let them in on all your good news.
• Buy them gifts and
• congratulate them on ‘Eed days.
• Help them financially during harsh times..

9. • When Allah revealed the verse : "You will not attain piety
until you spend from that which is beloved to you". [ 3: 93]
• Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The most
beloved to me of my wealth is Bayrahaa’ (a garden), and I
am giving it as a charity for Allah, I yearn for its reward from
Allah. O Messenger of Allah, spend it as you see fit
according to what Allah has shown you."
• The Messenger (SAW) said, "Bakhin! (an expression of
amazement) That indeed is a profitable trade. I have heard
what you said, and I recommend that you spend it on your
kin."
• Abu Talha responded, "O Messenger of Allah, I will do so."
• And Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, indeed gave
it away to his relatives

10. • O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created
you from a single person (Adam), and from him
(Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them
both He created many men and women and fear
Allah through Whom you demand your mutual
(rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the
wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-
Watcher over you. (Holy Quran 4:1)

11. So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause
corruption on earth and severe your [ties of]
relationship? Those [who do so] are the ones that
Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded
their vision. (Holy Quran 47: 22, 23)

12. • “And those who break the Covenant of Allah, after its
ratification, and severe that which Allah has
commanded to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of
kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work
mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e., they will
be far away from Allah’s Mercy); And for them is the
unhappy (evil) home (i.e., Hell).”
[Holy Quran 13:26]

13. • “Let not those among you who are endued with
grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath
against helping their kinsmen, those in want and
those who migrated in the path of Allah. Let them
forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah
should forgive you? Indeed Allah is oft-Forgiving,
most Merciful.” (Holy Quran 24:22)

14. • After his daughter, Aisha (RA), was slandered in the
worst way, Abu Bakr (RA) found out that the man
who began the rumor was Mistah.
• He was his cousin whom Abu Bakr (RA) had been
supporting financially.
• Naturally, Abu Bakr(RA) withheld the charity he had
been giving the slanderer.
• Soon after, Allah (SWT) revealed the above verse.

15. Hadith Qudsi: “Allah, the exalted, says: I am the
Most Merciful, I created Ar-Rahim and I cut out
a name for it from my name, so whoever keeps
good ties with it, I will keep good ties with
him, and whoever cuts it off, I will cut him and
finish him off.” (Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and
At-Tirmithi)

18. • Ibn Hijr said : "When it (the above mentioned
Hadith) said: "the womb stood up and said", Ibn Abi
Jamrah explained :
This might be a metaphorical case, or
It might literally be what has been actually stated.
These are two famous opinions, the second of
which is more likely.
• 'Ayyad (A Faqih) also said: "maybe the statement
was attributed to an Angel who was speaking on
behalf of the womb

19. Jami Tirmidhi

20. • A man said to the Messenger of Allah (SAW), “I have
relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they
cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I
am patient and kind towards them, but they insult
me.”
• The Prophet (SAW) said, “If you are as you say, then
it is as if you are putting hot dust in their mouths.
Allah will continue to support you as long as you
continue to do that.” (Reported by Muslim)

21. • Relationship with kinfolks should not be just returning
favors and responding in kind.
• Some people give a gift in return for a gift, and visit in
return for a visit,
• If someone does not give them a gift, they do not give
him a gift, and if he does not visit them, they do not
visit him.
• This is not what is meant by upholding the ties of
kinship at all, and this is not what is required by Islam.
• This is merely responding in kind, it is not the higher
degree which Islam urges us to reach.

23. • We know the lifespan of humans is already written
in destiny. Then how is the lifespan increased?
• There are 5 explanations given:
1. Such increase refers to God's blessing of the
servant's lifetime. Criterion for (evaluating) a
lifetime should not be measured by the number of
months or years, the person lives; rather, (it should
be measured by) how blessed and honored these
years have been.

24. • Such increase (of lifetime) might, in fact, be an actual
increase; but within the "scope of knowledge" of the Angel
who is entrusted with lifetimes (taking out souls).
• It's as if the Angel has been told: if My servant so and so
maintains his ties of kinship, then, his life time is 100 years.
But if he breaks it off, then, his life time is only 60 years
• In fact, what's within God's Knowledge never changes, never
increases or decreases; but what is within the knowledge of
the Angel does.
• First one is called Al-Qada'a Al-Mubrum (The Absolute
Destiny); and the second one is called Al-Qada'a Al-Mu'alaq
(The Unresolved Destiny)
• Allah Does blot out or confirm what He Pleases; with Him is
The Mother of the Book. [Ar-Ra'ad: 39)

25. • His legacy (of righteousness) will never be blotted
out after his demise; unlike the one who breaks off
his ties of kinship [17].
• Truly, remembering of a man (after his death) is
(considered) a second lifetime (for him).
• A man is considered fully alive, as long as his well-
remembrance still exists after his demise!
• How many people there, who are still being very
well remembered, as if they're still living among
us, while they're actually buried hundreds of
years ago

26. • The righteous servant may be bestowed a
righteous offspring who will honor and raise his
beautiful mention, and pray for him after he
passes away.
• The Fifth Viewpoint:
• The increase of lifetime may mean to turn away
from him (different kinds of) harms and evil
misfortunes (diseases, damages,
losses, calamities…etc.) concerning his body, mind,
wealth or kindred

28. Sunan Ibn Majah

38. • Khadijah (RA) said this to her beloved husband,
Mohammad (SAW) when he returned from cave of
Hira after first revelation:
“Lo! By Allah! Allah will not betray
you for you help to the one who is
orphaned and you maintain good ties
with your kinship, help the weak,
spend on the poor and support people
in times of difficulty”.

39. :
• "Your tribe or your people is like:
The wing that you fly with and
The base that you are connected to, and
The hand that you fight with, and the
Tongue that you speak with, and
They are the support at the times of hardship".

40. • "O Son, do not start your day while you
have severed the relation or ties with
your kinship
• I have seen him (one who severs the
relationship) cursed in the book of
Allah, in three places",
• And he, who cannot be beneficial to his
family will not benefit you
• He who does not defend them will not
defend you".

46. • 1- Uniting the ties of kinship is the sign of believing
in Allah and the final day.
• It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (RA)
that the Prophet (SAW) said: “And he who believes
in Allah and the Last Day should unite his ties of
kinship.” [Al-Bukhari 6138]
«‫اآلخر‬ ‫واليوم‬ ‫باهلل‬ ‫يؤمن‬ ‫كان‬ ‫ومن‬‫رحمه‬ ‫فليصل‬»

47. He will be well mentioned during his lifetime
and after his demise.
He will certainly be always supported and held
in high esteem.
He will be loved and held truly dear to hearts
He will enjoy great awe and respect.
His affairs will go smoothly, and his
distress, concerns or sufferings will be eased and
relieved

48. • 3- It is a reason for prolonging life and gaining more
sustenance.
• 4- It leads to gaining closer relationship with Allah.
• 5- It is one of the reasons for entering Paradise
• 6- It is obedience to Allah (SWT); it is joining to
what Allah has commanded to join
• 7-By uniting the ties of kinship, love is spread and the
good times are enhanced.

49. • Severing relation has become a threatening
epidemic that has found its way into many Muslim
families.
• Have we forgotten the tremendous value of
Ar-Raheem?
• Have we become completely unmindful and
oblivious of its significance?
• Or is it that our selfishness and self-centeredness
has gotten the best of us?

50. • Unfortunately, today we find some people that
quickly denounce and desert family members only
because they forgot to invite them to the last get
together.
• We can find family members who actually live door-
to-door and refuse to even share the greeting
amongst them when they met face to face.
• The reason? Each one claims that the other should
initiate the first visit and "why should I be the one to
go knock on their door?”
• “I got ill the other day and they did not even bother to
stop by and see how I was doing!"

51. • Warmth of love in a family can turn into a hell of
envy,
• Bonds of blood can become spilling of blood,
• Search for fulfillment can become thirst for
humiliating others
• Support in tough times can turn into hatred and
rivalry even in good times.
• The saddest thing is that their children were told
to never speak to their relatives or even approach
their door.

52. • 1- Ignorance. Actually, being ignorant about the
near and far consequences of severing the ties of
kinship leads to neglecting it and not caring for it.
• 2- Not fearing Allah much. When fearing Allah
becomes weak, the person does not care for
severing what Allah has ordered to be joined.
Furthermore, he will not care for the reward of
uniting the ties of kinship or fear the consequences
of severing them.

53. • 3- Arrogance. When some people get authority or
exalted position or become great merchants, they
become arrogant. Their relatives disdain visiting
them since such people think that they deserve to
be visited and look down upon others.
• 4- Stressful blaming. A person may shower his
coming relative (who did not visit him for long time)
with blame for not caring for him much and not
visiting him for a long time. This kind of blaming
may prohibit visiting such person because of his
blame and reproach.

54. • 5- Not caring much for the guests. A person may
not show care or joy whenever he is visited by his
relatives; rather he receives them sluggishly, and
this leads to decreasing their interest in visiting
him.
• 6- Miserliness and stinginess. A person may try to
avoid his relatives, when he is rich or have power,
thinking they may ask him to lend them or they
present many requests to him.

55. • 7- Being busy with the worldly affairs and not
finding time to unite his ties of kinship or have
cordiality with them.
• 8- Forgetting the relatives in the banquets and
occasions and this may be regarded as disdain by
the one who has been forgotten.
• 9- Excessive joking which may cause uttering evil
word. It may harm someone very sensitive and
plants in his heart hatred toward the joker. This
happens a lot among the relatives because of their
repetitive meetings.

56. • 10- Divorce among the relative couples.
• 11- Having close houses. This usually causes
disputes because of the wives or children, and then
these disputes get transmitted to the parents
causing severing the ties of kinship. Omar said: “Ask
the relatives to visit each other and not to have
houses close to each other.”
• 12- Not tolerating the relatives or pardoning them
if a mistake or wrong is done by them.
• 13- Envy or HASAD
• 14- Delay in dividing the inheritance.

57. • 1. Arrange frequent visits with those who live
close by, on a weekly basis if they are in the same
town or on a yearly basis at least if they reside
overseas, depending on a person's abilities.
• But always remember, the least you can do
nowadays is to pick up a paper and a pen and
write to them how much your heart yearns for
them and that they are not at all forgotten.
• If not, pick up the phone and tell them how much
you love them and cannot wait to visit with them.
• Little things can make a big difference.

58. • 2. In a family gathering, do not let the opportunity
to clear up all misunderstandings, pass you by and
show all of your relatives your love and concern.
• 3. When conversing with them, take interest in
what they have to say, even if it is not your cup of
tea. Listen to their concerns, and help them if you
can, and at least give them hope and your
prayers—for sincere prayers, reassurance and love
are worth much more than any-thing else.

59. • 4. Have respect for all elderly people in your
family, be all-ears when they are telling their
stories and try to learn from their past
experiences.
• 5. Bring joy to family gatherings by creating an
atmosphere of fun, sharing jokes or even getting a
bit playful at times—but always within the limits
of decency and without hurting anyone's feelings.

60. • 6. Be there for them, and offer to help in every way
you can.
• Keeping good family relations is something that will
benefit you immediately, by making this life a lot
happier, lighter, pleasant and more rewarding.
• Most importantly, Allah will reward us generously for
every smile, every hug, every act of generosity, every
phone call or letter, every word of encouragement,
every suppression of anger, and every instance of
forgiveness towards your family members.
• Who can afford to be deprived of such an immense
reward? Do not allow yourself to be of those who
sever what Allah has ordered to be joined

61. • 7- Facing relatives’ injustice with doing good to
them. Verily, this guards cordiality and makes the
injustice that is received from the relatives easy.
• 8- Accepting their excuses, if they sought pardon
for their mistakes; and pardoning them and
forgetting their wrongdoings, even if they did not
seek pardon, because this is generosity and
excellence.
• 9- Avoiding reminding them with the favors and
asking their likes from them.

62. • 10- Avoiding severity in blame and accepting the
blame of the relatives and thinking good in it.
• 11- Moderation in joking with the relatives while
caring for their status and not joking with whoever
does not tolerate joking.
• 12- Presenting gifts whenever there is dispute with
the relatives. The gift brings cordiality, eliminates
the evil thoughts, and gets rid of hearts’ evils.
• 13- Perfect care for remembering the relatives in
the occasions, banquets and periodical gatherings;
whether they are monthly, yearly or whatever.

63. • 14- Having kinship’s fund for gathering the charities of
the relatives and the money of their subscriptions.
Whenever a member of the family needs money for
marriage or catastrophe or whatever, they would
quickly study his case and help him; this brings love
and increases the cordiality.
• 15- Overlooking and closing the eyes; they are among
the characteristics of the magnificent people and they
are among the reasons that facilitate bringing
cordiality and killing enmity.
• 16- Seeking help from Allah, by asking Him success
and help in uniting the ties of kinship.

64. • Daughter of Abdullah ibn Mutayi said to her
husband Talha bin Abdurahman bin Aauf who was the
most generous at his time from Quraysh,
• "O Talha, I did not see any one more evil than your
brothers“. He said " Why?
• She said, "When your wealth becomes more and your
money increases, they start visiting you and stay
around you, but when it decreases and you go through
hardship they leave you".
• He said, "And this by Allah is from their generosity, they
come to us at the time of strength when we can afford
them and afford being generous to them and they
don't burden us at our time of weakness when we can
not afford them".

65. • One must interpret and justify mistakes of their
brothers and relatives and in-laws in a good way.
• One must disregard, overlook and ignore small
shortcomings.
• This is kindness that is reflected from being loyal
• One who counts every thing pushes people away
from him and he who overlooks brings their hearts
closer to him.

66. • Parents must be obeyed unless they order us to
commit a sin or disobey Allah (SWT).
• This is based on the Prophet’s (SAW), statement
that: “No creature may be obeyed in what
constitutes disobedience to the Creator.”
• Even if one's kinsfolk are hostile to Islam, one
should continue to invite them to Islam with
kindness, compassion and wisdom.
• We should pray to Allah constantly to guide them
and open their hearts and lead them to the
straight path.

67. • “We have enjoined upon man goodness toward his parents: his
mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain, and his weaning
is within two years. Be grateful toward Me and toward your
parents, with Me all journeys end. Yet should they (your parents)
endeavor to make you ascribe divinity, side by side with Me to
something of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey
them. But even then bear them company with kindness in the
life of this world.. [Quran 31:14-15]

68. • His mother was so upset when she learned that he
had embraced Islam.
• She tried to persuade him to recant.
• She tried to increase the pressure on him.
• She swore that she would not taste any food or
drink until he had left the Prophet (SAW)
• Saad (RA) did not listen to his mother and
continued to be one of the best companions of the
Prophet (SAW)
• He remained kind to her, hoping always that she
may recognize the truth of Islam.

69. • She was Prophet’s (SAW) sister in law and sister of
Aisha (RA).
• Her mother was not a Muslima for quite a long
time.
• Asma’, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “My
mother came to me during the time of the Prophet
(SAW) hoping to get something from me.
• I asked the Prophet (SAW), 'whether I should be
kind to her'". He answered: “Yes,” (Al-Bukhari).