Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty created creation. When He had finished it, ties of kinship rose up. Allah said, 'Stop!' They said, 'This is the place for anyone seeking refuge with You from being cut off' Allah said, 'Are you not content that I should maintain connections with the one who maintains connection with you and I should cut off the one who cuts you off?' It replied, 'Yes indeed, my Lord.' He said, 'You have that.'"
The Divine Status of Kinship Ties
This profound hadith from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (Book 50) reveals that ties of kinship (silat ar-rahim) possess a sacred, primordial nature. They stood before the Divine Throne after creation's completion, indicating their fundamental importance in the cosmic order.
The Intercession of Kinship
The rising up of kinship ties represents their seeking protection and status from Allah. Their plea "This is the place for anyone seeking refuge with You from being cut off" demonstrates that maintaining family bonds serves as spiritual sanctuary.
Divine Reciprocity Principle
Allah's response establishes the fundamental spiritual law: "I should maintain connections with the one who maintains connection with you and I should cut off the one who cuts you off." This shows Allah's personal involvement in rewarding those who honor family ties and withholding grace from those who sever them.
Practical Implications
Maintaining kinship ties is not merely social etiquette but an act of worship that attracts divine mercy. Severing family relationships risks divine alienation. The hadith emphasizes that our treatment of relatives directly affects our relationship with the Creator.
Scholars note this includes visiting relatives, helping them financially when able, speaking kindly, and overlooking faults while avoiding what harms the relationship without legitimate Islamic cause.