Tying your ties of kinship

We learn in a Hadith that maintaining family ties is a means of bringing Barakah in our wealth and in our lives. This does not mean that we have to constantly invite people and keep on phoning them every day. But just having a good relationship is sufficient. Even if weeks go by without keeping in touch, the main thing is that the relationship should be on good terms. We should not have enmity nor should we keep grudges. The Hadith states…

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ تَعَلَّمُوا مِنْ أَنْسَابِكُمْ مَا تَصِلُونَ بِهِ أَرْحَامَكُمْ فَإِنَّ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ مَحَبَّةٌ فِي الأَهْلِ مَثْرَاةٌ فِي الْمَالِ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الأَثَرِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَمَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ‏”‏ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الأَثَرِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي زِيَادَةً فِي الْعُمُرِ

Abu Hurairah R.A. narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Learn enough about your lineage to facilitate keeping your ties of kinship. For indeed keeping the ties of kinship encourages affection among the relatives, increases the wealth, and increases the lifespan.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi]

During this time of Covid-19 there is not much visiting taking place but there is a lot of contact via the Whatsapp family groups. We should be very careful here not to get involved in any arguments and break off ties. There is lot of difference of opinion regarding the Covid-19 stats, social distancing in Salaah etc., and there is bound to be different opinions in every family. If someone in the family has a different opinion, then respect their opinion and don’t turn it into an unnecessary argument. Many times this happens and we break off contact. In light of the Hadith mentioned above, this could result in Barakah being taken away from us.

Waking up early

Scholars advise that we should try to wake up for Tahajjud, and then work during the hours before Fajr Salah. If we cannot, then at least wake up for Fajr and stay up till sunrise before we return to sleep. Those hours are filled with Barakah. If we are able to go to work during these hours, then do so. We will get much more work done than the whole day put together. Nabi S.A.W. made the following Dua…

“O Allah, bless my Ummah in their early mornings (i.e., what they do early in the morning).” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
If we find that our sleep at night is not enough, then taken from the Sunnah and recommended by many, we should try to nap in the afternoon or just before Zuhr, for about 20 minutes. Yes, just 20 minutes. If that is not possible then even 10 minutes. Many have adopted this method and it never fails to rejuvenate them. If you are doubting it, try it for one week and see the difference