IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE SECOND SERMON OF RAJAB DATED 10/7/1446 AH – 10/1/2025 CE
TOPIC: SEVERING TIES OF KINSHIP: ITS MANIFESTATIONS AND REMEDIES
THE FIRST SERMON:
All praises are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, who says in His noble Book, revealed to His greatest creation, peace and blessings be upon him:
﴿الَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّـهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّـهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ أُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ﴾
“Those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and spread corruption on earth – it is they who are the losers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:27)
We praise Him, glorified and exalted, thank Him, seek His help, guidance, and forgiveness, and turn to Him in repentance. Whomever Allah guides is truly guided, and whomever He lets stray, you will find no guide for them. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, send blessings, peace, and barakah upon him, his family, companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment.
As to what follows:
O servants of Allah, I enjoin myself and you to fear Allah, openly and secretly, for it is the ultimate goal of all acts of obedience, commandments, and prohibitions. Allah, exalted be He, says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ﴾
“O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:21)
Dear believers:
This is our second gathering in the sacred month of Rajab, one of the four sacred months in the Islamic lunar calendar. The subject of today’s sermon is SEVERING TIES OF KINSHIP: ITS MANIFESTATIONS AND REMEDIES.
Definition of Kinship (Ar-Rahm):
Kinship refers to the bonds of relationship and lineage, connecting individuals through a womb, hence the term “rahm.”
Manifestations of Severing Ties of Kinship:
- Neglect and Ignoring Relatives: Failing to inquire about relatives or visit them, not relieving harm or showing compassion and kindness, and neglecting to assist them financially or through charity when they are in need.
- Harming Relatives: Causing harm through words or actions. Giving priority to strangers over one’s relatives. Failing to share in their joys and sorrows, and maintaining ties with relatives only if they initiate contact.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) warned against persisting in severing ties of kinship and instead encouraged maintaining them, even if the relatives cut them off. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The one who maintains ties is not the one who simply reciprocates, but the one who joins ties when his relatives sever them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- Neglecting Good Advice and Commanding Good: Failing to offer kind advice, enjoin good, or forbid evil to close relatives. This neglect contradicts the prophetic method of inviting others to righteousness. Allah, exalted, says: ﴿وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ﴾
“And warn your closest kindred.” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:214) - Undermining the Family Scholar or Influencer: Disregarding or undervaluing a knowledgeable or influential family member, ignoring their virtues and positive contributions, especially when they offer advice or guidance.
- Spreading Discord: Inciting disputes, fostering enmity, and creating divisions among relatives to sow hatred and discord and failing to act benevolently or extend generosity towards relatives.
Causes of Severing Kinship Ties
The causes of severing kinship ties are many below are some of them:
- Ignorance: Unawareness of the grave sins incurred by severing kinship and the immense rewards for maintaining them.
- Weak Religious Motivation: Lack of strong faith and preoccupation with worldly matters, causing individuals to neglect their duties toward their relatives.
- Arrogance and Pride: Feeling superior due to wealth or social status, leading to disdain for relatives who are perceived as less privileged.
- Procrastination and Long Intervals Between Visits: Delaying visits and prolonged absences create distance, leading to misunderstandings, complaints, and eventual estrangement.
- Excessive Formality and Stinginess: Overindulgence during visits, or conversely, being miserly in terms of hospitality or financial support. Lack of emotional warmth, neglecting invitations, and withholding respect also contribute.
- Family Conflicts: Issues such as disputes, divorce, gossip, envy, mocking jokes, and inheritance-related disagreements strain relationships.
Remedies for Severing Ties of Kinship
- Avoiding Severance and Striving for Connection: A person must ensure they avoid severing ties of kinship and all actions that lead to it. Continuously maintaining and fostering relationships with relatives aligns with Allah’s commands and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Several measures can help achieve this:
- Seeking Reward from Allah: One should aim for the immense rewards in both this world and the Hereafter by connecting with relatives. Asking Allah for guidance to maintain ties and avoiding all that causes estrangement or hostility is essential. Acts that foster love and goodwill should be prioritized.
- Responding to Harm with Kindness: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) praised a man who maintained ties with his relatives despite their mistreatment, promising him great reward from Allah.
- Forgiveness and Acceptance of Excuses: Forgiving relatives for their mistakes reflects the virtues of Prophets and Messengers. For instance, Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) forgave his brothers despite their grave wrongdoings, maintaining familial bonds.
- Generosity Without Expectation: Offering one’s time, wealth, and efforts to relatives without expecting anything in return is critical. Avoid imposing undue obligations on them.
- Exercising Humility and Good Character: Demonstrating patience, avoiding excessive blame, assuming good intentions, and dealing with relatives’ mistakes with forbearance fosters strong relationships.
- Organizing Family Gatherings: Facilitating family gatherings, extending invitations for events, maintaining regular communication (like phone calls), and creating opportunities for mutual dialogue strengthen kinship bonds.
- Instilling the Value of Kinship in Children: Teaching children about the importance of maintaining family ties ensures they uphold these values as adults.
- Resolving Family Disputes Wisely: Addressing family issues, especially inheritance disputes, with consultation and kindness helps maintain harmony.
The Sin of Severing Ties of Kinship
Severing family ties is strongly condemned in Islam due to its harmful effects on individuals and society. It is considered a significant sin, with consequences both in this life and the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No sin is more deserving of having its punishment hastened in this world, along with what is stored for the Hereafter, than oppression and severing ties of kinship.”
(Authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami, no. 10642)
Allah Almighty has issued a severe warning against those who sever ties of kinship, depriving them of Paradise. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No one who severs family ties will enter Paradise.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
This act is among the major sins, as emphasized in the Qur’an:
“Those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth — it is they who are the losers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:27).
The Elevated Status of Kinship
Kinship holds a noble rank in the sight of Allah, as it is symbolically attached to His Throne. Severing ties of kinship leads to one’s severance from Allah’s mercy. This is confirmed in the hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The womb is suspended from the Throne and says: Whoever maintains ties with me, Allah will maintain ties with him; and whoever severs ties with me, Allah will sever ties with him.” (Reported by Muslim, Hadith 2555).
I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you. So, seek His forgiveness and repent to Him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, who states in His Noble Book:“But those who disbelieve are allies of one another. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (discord) in the land and great corruption. But those who have believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided — it is they who are the believers, truly. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:73-74).
May Peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, his family, his companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
As to what follows,
O servants of Allah, sincere faith in a believer’s heart propels them to strive tirelessly to support their community and protect its sanctities.
Supporting the Truth and Its Contemporary Applications Amid the Al-Aqsa Flood
In the present condition of our Ummah, as our brothers and sisters in Palestine face immense challenges, and as oppressive nations unite against the people of Gaza, the concept of “supporting the truth” becomes the central focus of sincere believers in this noble Ummah. It occupies their thoughts and drives their efforts.
In linguistic terms, نصرة (nusrah) refers to providing excellent assistance. The phrase استنصره على عدوه means asking someone for help against an adversary, and تناصروا indicates mutual support. Nusrah involves aiding, strengthening, rescuing, and empowering the oppressed, whether individuals or communities. It signifies standing by justice and supporting its followers.
During the ongoing challenges in the blessed lands and the “Al-Aqsa Flood” battle in Gaza, the believer perseveres with patience, faith, and reliance on Allah. They await His divine support, respecting His wisdom and decree. Allah says:
﴿ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانْتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ وَالَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَنْ يُضِلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ ﴾
“And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah—never will He waste their deeds.” (Surah Muhammad, 47:4)
Reflecting on history reveals Allah’s unwavering support for His noble messengers, faithful servants, and the oppressed. His mercy and aid encompass His allies, as His assistance is a constant and undeniable truth. Allah has destroyed many oppressive nations and answered the prayers of His prophets, providing them with timely help. Allah says: ﴿ إِنَّا لَنَنْصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْأَشْهَادُ ﴾
“Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand.” (Surah Ghafir, 40:51)
This assurance brings tranquility and reassurance to the hearts of believers.
Supplication (Du’a)
O Allah, thwart the plots of the enemies of Islam and render their schemes ineffective. O Allah, we seek Your protection against their evil. Unite the hearts of Muslims upon the truth. Grant victory to the Palestinian people. Ease their siege, relieve their distress, and heal their sick. Free their captives and the captives of all Muslims. Grant us security in our lands. Guide and rectify our leaders to actions that please You. Forgive our deceased and the deceased among the Muslims. O Most Merciful of the merciful, Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and his companions.