A reflection on Surah An-Nisa 4:1 and the hadith linking the word 'rahim' (womb, kinship) directly to Ar-Rahman, the Most Merciful.
Family relationships are not always easy, and at Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy we try to be honest about that with our older students rather than pretending otherwise. What the Qur'an asks of us is not a perfect family. It is perseverance in maintaining the bond, even when it is difficult.
A Bond Named After Mercy
Allah (SWT) says:
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ
"And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." (Surah An-Nisa 4:1)
The Prophet (SAW) explained the weight of this connection: "The womb (rahim) is derived from Ar-Rahman. Allah said: Whoever maintains it, I will maintain ties with him; and whoever severs it, I will cut him off." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5988; Sahih Muslim 2554)
Maintaining It Even When It Isn't Returned
The Prophet (SAW) also said: "The one who truly maintains family ties is not the one who does so only when they reciprocate, but the one who maintains them even when they cut him off." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5991) This is not weakness. It is spiritual strength, choosing mercy even when it is not returned in kind.
A Small, Sincere Step
We encourage our students, especially as they grow older, to reach out to a relative they have drifted from, even with a short greeting or a quiet du'a on their behalf, done sincerely for Allah's (SWT) sake rather than to be seen.
May Allah (SWT) keep the ties of our students' families strong, and grant them the strength to maintain what is difficult to maintain. Ameen.