Benevolence to Relations

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “A person, who wants that there may be abundance in his provision, and that his age be lengthened, then he should do favour to his blood relations.

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August 21, 2022

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “A person, who wants that there may be abundance in his provision, and that his age be lengthened, then he should do favour to his blood relations.”

(Bukhari, Muslim)

Islam enjoins the believers to do kindness to the blood relations in particular, and to all human beings in general. In this hadith the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has highlighted the benefits of doing kindness and benevolence to the near and dear ones.

It is but natural that man wants his provision to be in plenty. It is equally natural that he wants to live longer. The Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), who had a keen perception of human psychology, says that one who wants increase in his provision and to live longer, should do favour to his blood relations. Doing favour to blood relations means that he should spend on his blood relations, help them whenever they stand in need of his help, advise them properly whenever they seek his advice, etc. Blood relations include mother, father, sons, daughters, grand and great grand children, maternal and paternal relations, etc.

But, in doing favour to his relations, he should exercise some caution. This hadith does not mean to do favour to his relations even when they are in the wrong. In another hadith the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has prohibited the believer to support his relations in matters wrong.