أكْرِمْ عشيَرتََكَ فَإنَّهُمْ جَناحُكَ الَّذي بِهِ تَطيرُ، وأصْلُكَ الَّذي إلَيهِ تَصيرُ، ويَدُكَ الَّتي بِها تَصُولُ۔
Honour your family, for indeed they are your wings by which you fly, and your origin to which you return, and your hand by which you attack [the enemy].
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Near Relatives And Keeping Or Cutting Off Ties With Them)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.
The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of honoring and valuing one's family. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to honor their family members, as they are the means by which they soar and achieve success in this world and the hereafter. The words used in this Hadith carry profound meanings that can be further understood through the lens of the Quran.
The first word to explore is (your family) "عشيرتََكَ", which refers to one's close relatives and kin. In Islam, the concept of family holds great significance, and maintaining strong familial ties is highly encouraged. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Quran 4:36)
And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then describes the family as (your wings) "جَناحُكَ", highlighting their role in enabling one to fly and soar. Just as wings provide birds with the ability to navigate and reach great heights, our families provide us with support, love, and guidance. They are our source of strength and protection. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Quran 30:21)
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.
The next phrase, (your origin) "أصْلُكَ", emphasizes the deep-rooted connection we have with our families. Our families are our foundation, our roots, and our heritage. They provide us with a sense of identity and belonging. Just as a tree draws nourishment from its roots, we draw strength and guidance from our families. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Quran 4:1)
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.
Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions (your hand) "يَدُكَ", symbolizing the strength and power that comes from our families. Our families are our support system, always there to lend a helping hand in times of need. They are our allies and companions in the face of challenges. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Quran 3:103)
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah does make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.
Reflecting on this Hadith, we understand that honoring and valuing our families is not only a duty but also a means of attaining success and prosperity. By maintaining strong familial ties, we are able to navigate through life's challenges, find tranquility, and draw strength from our roots. Our families are our support system, our wings, and our hands that enable us to soar and achieve greatness.
May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us all with the ability to honor and value our families, and may He grant us success in this world and the hereafter.
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