Harms of Severing Family Ties

Today we will continue to look at the benefits which a person stands to lose by not keeping Family Ties.
Cutting ties could mean cutting relations with Allah Himself

‘Aishah RA reported:
“‏الرحم معلقة بالعرش تقول‏:‏ من وصلني، وصله الله، ومن قطعني، قطعه الله‏”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: ‘He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This in-and-of-itself is quite alarming and it should make us reconsider what we do and its consequences.

Charity on family members earns you double the reward

We all have the desire to compete in giving to charities, but we forget that giving charity to family members is actually more rewarding than other charities we may be doing.

It was narrated from Salman bin ‘Amir RA that the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِينِ صَدَقَةٌ وَعَلَى ذِي الرَّحِمِ اثْنَتَانِ صَدَقَةٌ وَصِلَةٌ
“Giving charity to a poor person is charity, and (giving) to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” [Sunan an-Nasa’I 2582]

Avoiding major sins and their consequences

It was narrated from Abu Bakrah RA that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَا مِنْ ذَنْبٍ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ يُعَجِّلَ اللَّهُ لِصَاحِبِهِ الْعُقُوبَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعَ مَا يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ – مِنَ الْبَغْىِ وَقَطِيعَةِ الرَّحِمِ
“There is no sin more deserving that Allah hasten the punishment in this world, in addition to what is stored up for him in the Hereafter – than injustice and severing the ties of kinship.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 4211]

Persevering despite conflicts is the path of Prophets AS
Allah showed us in the Holy Qur’an and in the example of the Prophets AS the perfect path to follow. We see in Surah Yusuf how Nabi Yusuf AS was unjustly treated by his own brothers! His own brothers conspired against him, wanted to kill him and ended up throwing him in a well and lied about his disappearance!

What he did is what’s really gracious and inspiring. He faced those trials with beautiful patience (i.e. complaining only to Allah, not to all friends and people on social media). He didn’t retaliate with action or words, He only complained to Allah. Eventually, Allah brought him his right back and elevated him above all his brothers and elevated his status in this world and the next.
And he then said after everything he went through and experienced:

إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” [Yusuf 12: 90]

This is what we need to do: fear Allah of the sin of breaking ties, and be patient and perseverant in upholding to unity, peace and goodness.

It is in our benefit to rise above our ego, anger, jealousy and all other reasons that break our ties because they are simply not worth it in the grand scheme of events and on the Day we meet Allah Almighty.

This is why after everything Prophet Yusuf AS went through, he forgave his brothers even though he had a great chance for revenge. But instead he said:

قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
“No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” [Yusuf 12: 92]
This is our path; the path of the Prophets AS.

Let us work harder to not allow the feelings of animosity grow between us. It’s not in our benefit to allow Shaytan to inflict our egos, make us stubborn, resentful, and make us hold grudges against one another and prefer separation and division over unity.

Choose unity for the sake of Allah, and He will bring you your right back and open doors for you.

Having a Supporter from Allah by your side

This is the result of upholding to the right conduct despite challenges.
Abu Huraira reported that a person said to Allah’s Messenger, “I have relatives with whom I try to have close relationship, but they sever (this relation). I treat them well, but they treat me ill. I am sweet to them but they are harsh towards me.” Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: “If it is so as you say, then you in fact throw hot ashes (upon their faces) and there would always remain with you on behalf of Allah (an Angel to support you) who would keep you dominant over them so long as you adhere to this (path of righteousness).” [Sahih Muslim]

What is better than having an angel and a great supporter from Allah by your side aiding you?