Rights of Relatives
After rights of parents, children and spouse, Islam emphasizes on the rights of relatives. Because, in social life, the dealing of a person is mostly with relatives after his close family.
Kindness: When family members pay due rights to each other family, then there develops an atmosphere of love and ownership. When it is the opposite one, then there is atmosphere of hatred and unfamiliarity and with the daily skirmishes, the inner peace of family is ruined. In Quran and hadees, there is insistence repeatedly on fair treatment of relatives.
It is commanded in Quran:
وَاتِ ذَالْقُرْبَى حَقَّة (بنی اسرائیل : 26)
Translation: And give the relative his right.
The Holy Prophet said:
لا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَاطِع
Translation: The person who cuts off relations with relatives will not enter paradise.
Financial Assistance: Muslims have been directed to take care of the needs of their deserving relatives. So that, they should not beg alms from strangers. It is advised that whatever they (Muslims) spend in the path of Allah, they should give priority to their relatives. They must not taunt them and waste their good reward, they shouldn't let them feel alone or inferior, rather They should stand by them through thick and thin.
An important advantage of getting help through relatives is that self respect of a person is not hurt and the need is fulfilled. On seeking help from outsiders, not only one's respect but even the prestige of the family is also decreased. If every one of us properly fulfills the rights of relatives according to the directions of Allah and His messenger's , then the society will be saved from many evils and vices..
Spiritual Training: Besides financial help of relatives, their spiritual training should also be done .For instance, they should be invited to do good deeds to keep them away from bad deeds. It is directed by Allah
وَانْذِرُ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ (الشعراء: 214)
Translation: And warn (O Muhammad) your closest kindred.
Therefore, when Holy Prophet started preaching, first he preached his closed relatives.
Gifts: The love of relatives is increased by giving them gifts and inviting them to meals and even relations are improved. The Holy Prophet himself used to invite his relatives to eat food with him. Our dear Prophet said:
تهادوا تحابوا
Translation: "Give gifts to each other, the love increases with this (Act)".
Sympathy and Empathy: Participating in their moments of joys and sorrows is their mutual right. If they are sick, then they should be attended and when they die, then inheritors should be consoled. Moreover, their funeral should also be attended.
Fair Treatment: Kind treatment, attitude of piety and righteousness are also the rights of relatives. It is commanded by Allah
وبالوالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَ ذِي الْقُرْبى ( البقرة 83)
Translation: And to parents do good and to relatives. Once, Hazrat Muhammad was asked, who is the better person. "he answered that person who fears Allah, treats fairly always his relatives. Moreover, he advises piety and forbids from evil".
Right of Inheritance: Islamic shariah has made relatives partners in inheritance as well, If a relative dies and he does not have any children, then 1/4 part of his property goes to his wife and remaining property will be distributed among his relatives. However, in the presence of a male child, relatives will not be inheritors.
