*   Why do we have to make the first move?

*   How low do we have to stoop to please them?

Many Satanic whispers of this kind may enter a person’s mind, but remember, this is the time you are tested. Will you listen to your nafs and destroy your Hereafter? Or will you control it, act upon the pristine commands of Allah and His beloved Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , and make your Hereafter successful? Be brave and muster your courage! Oppose Satan, and with the intention of attaining the reward of maintaining good relationships with relatives, make firm intention to reconcile with relatives who may be displeased or upset.

Whilst mentioning the blessed ḥadīth of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ once said: "Whoever breaks ties of kinship should leave this gathering of ours.” Listening to this, a young man stood up and went to see his aunt. He had a dispute with her, lasting for many years until that point.  When the young man had settled issues with his aunt, the latter said, “Go, and find out the reason behind this (in other words, what was the wisdom behind Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ making this announcement?).”

The young man returned to the great Companion and inquired as to the why he had said for anyone who breaks familial ties to leave his gathering. Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ explained: “I heard from the Messenger of Allah  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , ‘The mercy of Allah does not descend upon a nation which contains someone who cuts ties of kinship (family).’”^[1]

Virtues of maintaining ties with relatives

Let us now have the honour of listening to 3 ḥadīth of the final Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , which discuss the great excellence of maintaining good conduct with one’s family.