Relative Rights
What are the Relative Rights?
In Islam, relatives’ rights refer to the responsibilities that family members have toward one another. These rights are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, and they emphasize respect, care, kindness, and support. Islam teaches that maintaining strong family ties is very important and has spiritual rewards. Here’s an explanation of relatives’ rights in simple terms:
- Right to Respect and Honor
- Respect for parents, elders, and relatives is essential in Islam. Children should honor and be respectful towards their parents, and family members should treat each other with kindness and dignity.
- The Quran says:
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:24)
- Right to Financial Support
- Helping financially is an important responsibility in Islam, especially towards those in need. Relatives who are struggling financially, such as parents, siblings, and extended family members, have the right to receive support from wealthier relatives.
- The Quran emphasizes helping those in need:
“And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you.”
(Surah An-Nur, 24:33)
- Right to Keep in Touch and Stay Connected
- Maintaining good communication and strong relationships with relatives is encouraged in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the one who maintains family ties is not just someone who responds when relatives reach out, but one who continues to do so even if they are the ones who are distant.
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the ties of kinship.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6138)
- Right to Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- If there are disputes or conflicts, it’s important to forgive and try to reconcile. Holding grudges is discouraged, and the goal should be to restore peace and harmony in family relationships.
- The Quran says:
“And if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Surah At-Taghabun, 64:14)
- Right to Protect and Care for Vulnerable Relatives
- Relatives, especially those who are elderly or in need of care, have the right to be looked after and treated with compassion. Islam places great emphasis on providing for the elderly, including parents and grandparents.
- The Quran speaks about the care of elderly parents:
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14)
- Right to Justice and Fair Treatment
- Relatives have the right to be treated fairly and justly, whether it’s in terms of inheritance, family matters, or emotional support. Any form of injustice or mistreatment is strongly discouraged.
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Beware! It is not permissible to take the wealth of a Muslim unless it is given freely and willingly.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1731)
- Right to Protect Family Reputation
- Protecting the honor and reputation of relatives is essential. Islam teaches not to speak ill of or backbite family members.
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Do not backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2586)
- Right to Pray for One Another
- Praying for family members and asking Allah to bless them is encouraged. Prayers for one’s relatives can bring blessings and benefits to both the person making the prayer and the one being prayed for.
- The Quran says:
“And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not put in our hearts any resentment toward those who have believed.’”
(Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10)
Summary of Relatives’ Rights in Islam:
- Respect and Honor: Treat your relatives, especially parents, with respect and kindness.
- Financial Support: Help those in need within your family, especially your parents or siblings.
- Maintain Family Ties: Stay connected with your relatives and avoid cutting ties.
- Forgiveness: Forgive and reconcile with relatives in case of conflicts or disagreements.
- Care for the Vulnerable: Look after the elderly or those who need help.
- Fair Treatment: Treat your relatives justly, especially when it comes to inheritance or family matters.
- Protect Reputation: Safeguard the honor and reputation of your family members.
- Pray for Them: Make dua (prayers) for your relatives and ask Allah to bless them.
In Islam, family ties are seen as a source of reward, and maintaining these bonds is very important. Treating relatives with kindness, fairness, and care is not only a responsibility but also an act that earns the pleasure of Allah.
Quran & Hadith References
References from the Quran
- Right to Respect and Honor
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14)
This verse stresses the respect, care, and gratitude towards parents, which extends to other relatives as well.
- Right to Financial Support
“And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you.”
(Surah An-Nur, 24:33)
This verse emphasizes the duty of family members to support their relatives, especially those in need.
- Right to Keep in Touch and Stay Connected
“And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs [that bind you]. Indeed, Allah is ever over you, Observer.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:1)
This verse highlights the importance of maintaining family ties and treating relatives with respect and care.
- Right to Forgiveness and Reconciliation
“And if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Surah At-Taghabun, 64:14)
This verse encourages reconciliation, forgiveness, and overlooking faults to maintain harmony in family relationships.
- Right to Protect and Care for Vulnerable Relatives
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14)
This emphasizes the responsibility of children to care for and respect their parents, especially in old age.
- Right to Justice and Fair Treatment
“And if there are two women, then for each one of them is a portion of what he left, and for his children is a share according to the amount decreed.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:7)
This verse addresses the right of relatives to justly inherit according to Allah’s decree.
- Right to Protect Family Reputation
“And do not backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12)
This verse forbids backbiting, especially of family members, and stresses the importance of maintaining the family’s honor.
References from Hadith
- Right to Respect and Honor
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the ties of kinship.”
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6138
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of maintaining family ties as a key part of faith.
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6138
- Right to Financial Support
“The best of you are those who are the best to their women and the best of you are those who are the best to their children.”
- Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162
This Hadith underscores the responsibility of providing for and caring for one’s family, including children and relatives.
- Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162
- Right to Keep in Touch and Stay Connected
“Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his life be extended, should maintain the ties of kinship.”
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5986
This Hadith highlights that maintaining strong family ties brings blessings in life and provision.
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5986
- Right to Forgiveness and Reconciliation
“Whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.”
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2587
This Hadith stresses the value of forgiveness in resolving conflicts, which is important in family relationships.
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2587
- Right to Protect and Care for Vulnerable Relatives
“It is obligatory upon a father to provide his child with food, clothing, and a good education.”
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1158
This Hadith affirms the responsibility of parents to provide for their children, a key aspect of caring for vulnerable relatives.
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1158
- Right to Justice and Fair Treatment
“Beware! It is not permissible to take the wealth of a Muslim unless it is given freely and willingly.”
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1731
This Hadith reinforces the importance of fair treatment, particularly in financial matters such as inheritance.
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1731
- Right to Protect Family Reputation
“Do not backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?”
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2586
This Hadith forbids speaking ill of family members, maintaining their honor and reputation.
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2586
Summary of Relatives’ Rights in Islam with Exact References:
- Respect and Honor:
- Quran: Surah Luqman, 31:14
- Hadith: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6138
- Financial Support:
- Quran: Surah An-Nur, 24:33
- Hadith: Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162
- Maintain Family Ties:
- Quran: Surah An-Nisa, 4:1
- Hadith: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5986
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
- Quran: Surah At-Taghabun, 64:14
- Hadith: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2587
- Care for Vulnerable Relatives:
- Quran: Surah Luqman, 31:14
- Hadith: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1158
- Fair Treatment:
- Quran: Surah An-Nisa, 4:7
- Hadith: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1731
- Protecting Family Reputation:
- Quran: Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12
- Hadith: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2586
These references highlight the importance Islam places on respecting, supporting, and maintaining strong relationships with family members. Treating relatives with kindness and fulfilling their rights is seen as both a moral duty and a way to earn Allah’s reward.
