it is the one who joins ties when they are severed.”^[1] It is stated in another ḥadīth:

Do not become of those who say, “If people are good towards us, we will be good to them too, and if they oppress us, we will also oppress them in return.” Rather, make it your habit to be good to others when they show good conduct towards you, and if people oppress you, still avoid oppressing them!”^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers, from both the two blessed ḥadīth we have just heard, we learn the true meaning of good conduct with one’s family and what it means to maintain ties with them. If a relative deprives us of anything, we should still give to them. If they oppress us, we should still forgive them. Sometimes relatives cut ties with us, even over the smallest of issues. Years pass without speaking to them. It is now down to us to take the first step, approach them, discuss things, reconcile and seek their forgiveness.

These deeds will indeed be very difficult for our nafs, and Satan will try to stop us reconciling with each other. He will try to pollute our minds with various Satanic whispers, for example:

*   Why should we go to their house? They never come to ours.

*   Why should we accept their invitation? They turned ours down before.

*   These people don’t want to attend our functions and get-togethers; why should we go to any of theirs?