Hadith #4357

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ما آمَنَ بِاللّهِ مَنْ قَطَعَ رَحِمَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

He who cuts off ties [with near relatives] does not believe in Allah.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (aman) "آمَنَ" means to believe, have faith, or trust. (billah) "بِاللّهِ" refers to Allah, the Almighty. (man) "مَنْ" means whoever or he who. (qata'a) "قَطَعَ" signifies cutting off or severing. And finally, (rahimahu) "رَحِمَهُ" refers to the ties of kinship or the bonds of family.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong family ties in several verses. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 1, Allah says,

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.

This verse highlights the interconnectedness of humanity and the significance of the family unit.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 23, Allah commands,

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

This verse emphasizes the importance of showing kindness and respect to our parents, who are the closest relatives to us.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that maintaining family ties and treating our relatives with kindness and respect are essential aspects of our faith. The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further reinforces this message by stating that one who cuts off these ties does not truly believe in Allah.

Cutting off ties with our near relatives can have severe consequences both in this world and the hereafter. In this world, it can lead to broken relationships, loss of support, and a sense of isolation. It can also create divisions within families and communities, causing strife and discord. On the Day of Judgment, severing family ties will be a cause for regret and punishment.

By maintaining strong family bonds, we not only fulfill our obligations as Muslims but also experience the blessings and benefits that come with it. Strong family ties provide emotional support, love, and a sense of belonging. They create a nurturing environment for personal growth and development. Moreover, maintaining family ties is a means of preserving the unity and strength of the Muslim community as a whole.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. Through this Hadith, he emphasizes the importance of family ties and highlights their inseparable connection to true faith in Allah. As Muslims, it is incumbent upon us to reflect upon this teaching and strive to strengthen our relationships with our relatives, fostering love, compassion, and unity within our families and communities.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to uphold the ties of kinship and grant us the wisdom and understanding to implement the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt in our lives.