A Glimpse into the Life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) – Kind Treatment of Relatives

A person once told the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) that he had committed a grave sin. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) asked him if his mother was alive. He replied in the negative. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked about his maternal aunt, to which he replied in the affirmative. The Holy Prophet (sa) advised him to be kind to his aunt, and this kindness would become a source of the forgiveness of his sins.

Describing kindness towards relatives, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Kindness to close relatives is not the one which is done as a return for their good behaviour. The real kindness is to do good to those who cut the ties of relationship asunder.’

Once, a person said to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah, I have some relatives, I try to establish ties and they cut me asunder. I do them favours and they treat me badly. They respond to my kindness and gentleness with aggression and high-handedness.’ The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) replied, ‘If they behave as you have just described, then you are throwing dirt on their faces, meaning you are putting them to shame by doing favours to them. One guardian angel will be appointed for you by God, and this angel will stay with you as long as you continue your good behaviour.’

Muhammad (sa) – The Perfect Man (Qadian, India: Nazarat Isha’at, 2015), 247.