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Family Life in Islam


Relatives, Friends, and Neighbours

Relatives also deserve the same good treatment, which is given to the parents (2:83). They should be helped when they are in need (2:177). Good treatment should be given to friends (4:36). Those who do not believe in the Quran cannot be the friends of a momin. (3:27) If one’s father or brother is an Unbeliever, he/she should not make them friends (9:23). One should be good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, needy persons, neighbours who are near or strangers, companions by one’s side, and way-fares(4:36).



Servants, Needy and Poor Persons

On human consideration servants also deserve kind treatment. In fact such a person alone give good treatment to others whose heart is full of human qualities and who is a symbol of manliness, and who feels pleasure in helping others. But those who are self deceiving and devoid of human considerations talk high of helping mankind but do not give any thing to others; for such ungrateful persons Allah has prepared a humiliating life. (4:36-37)

Needy and poor persons also deserve kind treatment similar to that given to one’s own near and dear so that the equilibrium in the society is maintained (2:83). Needy persons have their share in the surplus of our earnings over and above our real needs (51:19-22).

A needy person should not be looked down upon as if he is a man of low level. One should not repulse or scorn him unheard (93:10). There are persons who are really needy, they ask for help, and their genuine need and request can be recognised by seeing their gloomy faces (2:273). When such persons come and ask for help, instead of giving them charity with taunt it is better to refuse it in a kind manner if you are not in a position to help (2:263).

Feelings of the recipients of charity or donation should not be injured by a rough or unpleasant attitude; such is the behaviour of those who do not believe in Allah and the Hereafter. This kind of help is similar to such rains which fall on a sheet-rock containing little soil and seed which get washed away and bring about no fruitful results (2:264).

While extending help to poor and needy persons, travellers and way-fares too have their rightful share in one’s income. Such persons may also be in need of assistance and therefore they should be helped honourably. When any help is extended to them. One should not feel him proud and boastful, and Allah does not like such persons (4:36,17:26).

There are fellows who are professional beggars though they are physically fit enough to earn their living by doing normal work or undertaking jobs. still they are habituated to begging and collection alum. Such persons are permanent (economic) parasites on others in the society, and helping them is similar to that of not helping the real poor, needy, and crippled persons who deserve all help.

Source: Islamawareness.net
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