Imagine being elderly, we slip in the bathroom, break a leg and there is no one there to help us because we live alone. Or consider; an old wealthy person with no heir to leave their vast fortune to. This is becoming increasingly common as we go through Social Breakdown.
In the name of Allah most Beneficient ever Merciful
Fifty years ago many people lived in one house but today, sometimes one wealthy person ends up living alone in a huge house.
Many people are opting not to marry, or they cannot find partners. Most of those that do marry will most likely end up divorced. Of those marriages that do survive the couple will most likely stop at two children.
Our newly weds of today will not want to stay with parents and most parents will push their married children to be on their own.
Neighbors are building higher walls, opposing mosques are being built on the same street, neighboring countries are at war.
Our families, our community, our society is falling apart (social Breakdown) and this is not Islam.
In studying our religious teachings, it is easy to conclude that Allah Subhanatallah loves that we treat one another well and that we be united as one brotherhood (Ummah).
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves……” Al Quran 3:103
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, “What is the matter?’ On that, it said, ‘I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.’ On that, Allah said, ‘Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?’ On that it said, ‘Yes, O my Lord!’ Then Allah said, ‘That is for you.’ “ . (47. 22)
Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) united thousands of people together because they all had one faith and they all loved him.
“Skins of grapes are crushed till they become one: unity is the (proper) attribute of him (who is one with others).
A friend becomes a foe because he is still two: is any one (engaged) in a quarrel with himself?
Blessings on the universal love of the Master, (Muhammad (SAW) which) gave oneness to hundreds of thousands of dust particles (people)!
(They were) as dust scattered on the thoroughfare: the hand of the Potter made them one jug.” Matnawi 3725
Islam is about being one – love for others what we love for ourselves.
In the same vein, we must use our religion and our love for Muhammad (SAW) and our spiritual guides to bring our families together.
Our religion also teaches that it is a challenge to live together and there is a reason for this. Our greatest enemy, shaitaan, is going to try to instigate us to have problems with others. SHAITAAN LOVES TO CAUSE SEPARATION between people, especially between a husband and wife. He influences us by way of our carnal desires. (Our ‘nafs’ or egos)
So the first thing that we need to get right, if we want to be good Muslims and to build strong relationships, is to know that it is a great virtue to be good to others so as to build good relationships and it is a serious sin to cause or have problems with others that end up in separation.
So our challenge is to strive for unity with our parents, with our spouses, with our siblings, with our neighbours and our fellow Muslims.
Yes it’s going to be a struggle every step of the way because shaitaan is a formidable enemy.
An important point to note, is that in building successful relationships, we would also be growing our personalities and our spirituality to blossom into the enlightened beings that Allah SWT created us to be.
“Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious;” al Quraan 94:36
Read a related article
https://rt-english.com/news/647156-no-family-no-humanity/ END