not be good to relatives, give them Sadaqah, etc., just to fulfil a custom, rather, it should be done solely for the pleasure of Allah Almighty; only then will you be worthy of reward.’

At another place, Allah Almighty states:

وَ  اتَّقُوا  اللّٰهَ  الَّذِیْ  تَسَآءَلُوْنَ  بِهٖ  وَ  الْاَرْحَامَؕ-اِنَّ  اللّٰهَ  كَانَ  عَلَیْكُمْ  رَقِیْبًا(۱)

And fear Allah in Whose Name you demand (mutual rights) and be mindful of your (blood) relations. Indeed, Allah is observing you at all times.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 4, Surah Al-Nisa, Verse 1)

The well-known commentator of the Quran, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, writes the following under this verse: ‘Just as Salah, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, etc., is necessary upon Muslims, likewise, fulfilling the rights of relatives is also very important.’ He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه furthers states: ‘Being good towards family and relatives is very beneficial in this world and in the Hereafter, and one is successful in life, death and the Hereafter through this.’ (Tafseer-e-Na’eemi, vol. 4, p. 456)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                            صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Compassion towards employees

Dear Islamic brothers! Alongside maintaining ties of kinship with relatives, be mindful of the rights of other Muslims too. There should not be any lapse in fulfilling the rights of employees in particular. Generally speaking, some people humiliate their employees over small mistakes, and some foolish people even go as far as beating them; such people should take heed from the following Hadees: The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The one who treats his servants badly will not enter Paradise.’ (Musnad-e-Ahmad; Musnad Abi Bakr Siddeeq, vol. 1, p. 20, Hadees 13, summarised)

Always treat your employees with compassion and overlook their mistakes as much as possible, for the one who is merciful to others, Allah Almighty is also merciful towards him. Also, while paying special attention to their rights,