Maintaining ties with one\u2019s family and\nblood relatives (Selatu alRahem), can be done physically or through virtual\ncommunications. Obviously the closer the\nrelatives, the more important the responsibility towards the maintenance of\nstronger ties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communication, contact, and kindness\ntowards one\u2019s kin are among important ways of growth and proximity to Allah\nAlmighty (SWT). These acts of worship have been considered crucial after faith\nin Allah1 (SWT), and cutting off communication with one\u2019s relatives is a\nviolation towards the Lord\u2019s commands2. \nAllah (SWT) has condoned those who cut off ties, furthered them away\nfrom His mercy.3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the importance of connecting\nto kin, and some of its requirements and effects, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) has said\nthe following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConnecting to\nkin\u2026flourishes cities and lengthens lives.\u201d4<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerform simple\nvisits with your kin, even if it is by just a greeting.\u201d5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep in touch\nwith your relatives, even if it is by giving a sip of water.\u201d6<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe best way to\nkeep in touch with one\u2019s family is to prevent harm from reaching them.\u201d7<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On boundaries for connecting with kin,\nkeeping in touch with family should not be exclusive to the good and faithful\nfamily members alone. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) narrates an incident, which took place\nduring the time of his great grandfather Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA man once came\nto the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) and said, \u2018O Prophet of Allah! I have\nrelatives who do nothing but break ties and talk badly with me, may I leave\nthem?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) said, \u2018If\nyou do so, then Allah will leave you.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man asked, \u2018Then what should I do?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) said, \u2018Renew\nties with one who has cut off ties with you, and give to him who has taken away\nfrom you, and forgive him who has hurt you. When you have done so, Allah (SWT)\nwill be your support against them\u2019.\u201d8<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ibn Humaid once asked Imam Sadiq\n(PBUH), \u201cDo relatives who do not believe in what I believe have any rights over\nme?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) responded, \u201cYes,\nthey have familial rights, for which nothing cuts that off\u2026.\u201d9<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And let us end with this saying from\nImam Sadiq (PBUH), in which he advises his followers on maintaining Seleyeh\nRahem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSend my\ngreetings to those who follow me and obey my words, and tell them that I advise\nyou to piety, to keeping ties with your close ones, and to performing Seleyeh\nRahem. Participate in their burial ceremony, visit their sick, and give them\ntheir rights\u2026(if you do so, it will be said about you, \u2018this person is\nJa\u2019fari,\u2019 and this act of yours will make me happy.\u201d10<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selection taken from the book Mafatih\nul Hayat by Ayatullah Javadi Amoli (with minor changes) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Roshd offers condolences to all Muslims,\nespecially you dear friend, upon 25th of Shawwal, the anniversary of the\nmartyrdom of the sixth Imam of Shiites, the discoverer of realities and the\ntruthful Imam, Imam Ja\u2019far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (PBUH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footnotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.Holy Quran\n2:83; 4:36; 6:151<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.Holy Quran\n2:27; 13:25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.Holy Quran\n2:27; 13:25; 48:22-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.Usul e Kafi,\nvol. 2, p. 152<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.Ibid, vol. 2,\np. 155<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.Ibid, vol. 2,\np. 151<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7.same as 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8.Ibid, vol. 2,\np. 150<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9.Ibid, vol. 2,\n157<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10.Ibid, vol. 2\n636<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maintaining ties with one\u2019s family and blood relatives (Selatu alRahem), can be done physically or through virtual communications. Obviously the closer the relatives, the more important the responsibility towards the maintenance of stronger ties. Communication, contact, and kindness towards one\u2019s kin are among important ways of growth and proximity to Allah Almighty (SWT). These acts […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28248],"tags":[21782,17778,19702,21781,20151,18480,18185,18046,18418,21057,21783],"class_list":["post-4436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-occasional-letters","tag-2015-08-11","tag-allah","tag-blood","tag-connecting-with-kin","tag-imam-sadiq","tag-important","tag-kindness","tag-mercy","tag-occasion-letters","tag-simple","tag-stronger"],"yoast_head":"\n