الصِّلَةُ: رُوحُ الأَوْطَانِ مِنَ الدّاخِلِ؛ Mutual relations… the soul of nations from within.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

الصِّلَةُ… رُوحُ الأَوْطَانِ مِنَ الدّاخِلِ

Mutual relations… the soul of nations from within.

Praise be to ALLAH who commanded us to maintain ties and forbade us from severing them. I bear witness that there is no god but ALLAH alone, without partner, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, who promised those who maintain ties a good destiny. I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant of ALLAH and His messenger, who urged us to be righteous and maintain ties of kinship. So that we may be happy in this world and be saved on the Day of Resurrection, may ALLAJ’s prayers and peace be upon him, his family and companions, and upon all who are guided by his guidance and follow his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment. These are the recited verses from Surah Al Hujraat and their translation:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

وَإِن طَآٮِٕفَتَانِ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱقۡتَتَلُواْ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَہُمَا‌ۖ فَإِنۢ بَغَتۡ إِحۡدَٮٰهُمَا عَلَى ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰ فَقَـٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّتِى تَبۡغِى حَتَّىٰ تَفِىٓءَ إِلَىٰٓ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن فَآءَتۡ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَہُمَا بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَأَقۡسِطُوٓاْ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ (٩) إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِخۡوَةٌ۬ فَأَصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ أَخَوَيۡكُمۡ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ (١٠) يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُمۡ وَلَا نِسَآءٌ۬ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيۡرً۬ا مِّنۡہُنَّ‌ۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَـٰبِ‌ۖ بِئۡسَ ٱلِٱسۡمُ ٱلۡفُسُوقُ بَعۡدَ ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ‌ۚ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَتُبۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ (١١) يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمٌ۬‌ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًا‌ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُڪُمۡ أَن يَأۡڪُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتً۬ا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ (١٢) يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ۬ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ شُعُوبً۬ا وَقَبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ۬ (١٣)

And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, But if one of them outrages against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which outrages till it complies with the Command of Allâh; then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allâh loves those who are equitable. (9) The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy. (10) O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked"]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers). (11) O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)[] . And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (12) O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2). Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (13)

Surah Al Hujraat – 913

O servants of ALLAH: Adopt piety۔ Obey ALLAH, and fear ALLAH the Almighty, for the fear of ALLAH is a strong rope by which societies are bound together, and a healing medicine that reforms individuals and groups. ALLAH says in Surah An Nisa

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ وَخَلَقَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡہُمَا رِجَالاً۬ كَثِيرً۬ا وَنِسَآءً۬‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡأَرۡحَامَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيبً۬ا

O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)[]. Surely, Allâh is Ever an All¬Watcher over you.

Surah An Nisa – 01

Know, may ALLAH have mercy on you, that maintaining kinship ties is among the best and most honorable deeds, and among the greatest things that bring a servant closer to his Lord, the Almighty and Majestic. For this reason, Islam came to observe and strengthen these ties. This is the commandment of ALLAH, the Almighty and Majestic, in His Book to fulfill the rights of those with whom you have a connection, says in Surah An Nisa.

وَٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنً۬ا وَبِذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلۡجَارِ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡجَارِ ٱلۡجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلۡجَنۢبِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُكُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن ڪَانَ مُخۡتَالاً۬ فَخُورًا

Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship), and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful;

Surah An Nisa – 36

What strengthens the bonds of kinship and the ties of blood between people is more deserving of attention and consideration. The best thing that unites people after faith is consideration for relatives and kin.

Brothers in faith: Indeed, kinship, righteousness, and kindness vary according to people's circumstances and their degree of closeness to the one being connected to. How great is righteousness when it is shown to parents!. ALLAH says in Surah Al Israa

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنًا‌ۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡڪِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ۬ وَلَا تَنۡہَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلاً۬ ڪَرِيمً۬ا (٢٣) وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرً۬ا

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. (23) And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."

Surah Al Isra – 23-24

The strengthening of kinship ties and bonds of blood has extended to showing kindness to those related to parents through kinship and blood relations, and the command to care for relatives. ALLAH Almighty says in Surah An Nahl:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ

Verily, Allâh enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SAW in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin[] (i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help):

Surah An Nahl – 90-Part

ALLAH further says in Surah Al Ahzab:

وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ بَعۡضُہُمۡ أَوۡلَىٰ بِبَعۡضٍ۬ فِى ڪِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ

And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the Decree of Allâh (regarding inheritance)

Surah Al Ahzab – 06-Part

Seeking reward from them is not like seeking reward from others. And it came in the hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who said: “Charity given to the poor is charity, and charity given to a relative is both charity and maintaining kinship ties.” And in the story of Abu Talha, may ALLAH be pleased with him, who gave away his most beloved possessions, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Bravo! That is profitable wealth, that is profitable wealth. I have heard what you said, and I think you should give it to your relatives.” Abu Talha said, “I will, O Messenger of ALLAH.” So Abu Talha divided it among his relatives and cousins.

Brothers in faith: The believer maintains ties of kinship with his relatives, surrounding them with his compassion and encompassing them with his kindness. He who is not good to his family and relatives is not good to anyone. Let no one who maintains these ties think that kinship is a reciprocal transaction, connected by connection and severed by severance. No, maintaining kinship is far more noble and elevated than that. It is said, “The one who maintains kinship is not…” By the equivalent, but the one who maintains ties, if his kinship is severed, he maintains it. Relatives and kin must be united by the highest bonds and the strongest relationships, so there is no hatred between them, no envy, no enmity, and no malice. Rather, it is love, harmony, and loyalty, and this becomes even more important with the closest relatives, such as brothers and sisters. But unfortunately, we see situations in the relationships between brothers where disputes are often related to inheritance, and the conflict between brothers reaches a point where love and affection between them become rare. Truly, it is It is a tragedy that the pleasures of this worldly life can overwhelm those closest to a person, distancing them from him and weakening or severing the strong bonds of kinship between them.

Let every person of sound mind fear ALLAH, preserve what remains of these bonds, and be purer of heart, more connected to relatives, and of nobler character.

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness.

الحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ، مَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا أَمِنَ العِثَارَ، وَنَجَا مِنَ الأَخْطَارِ، وَنَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، المُصْطَفَى المُخْتَارُ، صَلاةً وَسَلامًا دَائِمَيْنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ الأَخْيَارِ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى دَارِ القَرَارِ

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Whoever believes in Him and does righteous deeds will be safe from stumbling and saved from dangers. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and we bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant and messenger, the chosen one, the elect. May prayers and peace be upon him and upon his family and his righteous companions, and upon those who follow them in goodness to the abode of eternity.

Now then, O servants of ALLAH: Many of our sons and daughters spend long hours behind screens of devices such as televisions, smartphones, and computers. If you were to ask them about their most recent meeting with a relative, they would only provide you with fictitious names on social media platforms. This is a form of self-imprisonment and isolation from reality. Socializing, and it has been mentioned in the hadith: ((The believer who mixes with people and patiently endures their harm is better than the one who does not mix with people and does not patiently endure their harm)), and how many good qualities are acquired – O servants of ALLAH, through visiting and socializing, there is a vast difference between a son who attends his family gatherings and shares in the sorrows and joys of his relatives, and another who isolates himself behind screens, knowing nothing of the world except the digital realm. This phenomenon of many of our children isolating themselves from social participation in society is a serious problem. Around them, these problems have grown and increased, and the concern of many of these children has become getting rid of such social responsibilities. It is important to note here that some of the programs and applications that have become widespread undermine family cohesion and strong social bonds. Some even attack the simplest forms of connection between children and their parents. Thus, our children learn to be disrespectful to their fathers and mothers without realizing it. Let us be aware of this, and let us take action. Organize it and guide them, and may ALLAH have mercy on a father who helped his son to be dutiful to him, and may ALLAH have mercy on a mother who helped her sons and daughters to be dutiful to her.

So fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and let us always remember that communicating with brothers and relatives is not just a social obligation, but rather an act of worship by which we draw closer to ALLAH, and we should perfect its performance.