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Tag: purification of the soul

A Brief Glimpse at How The Messenger Behaved at Home Whilst With His Family

In The Name Allaah of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Aa’isha [رضي الله عنها] narrated: I would drink when I was menstruating, then I would hand it (the vessel) to the Prophet [ﷺ] and he would put his mouth where mine had been, and drink, and I would eat flesh from a bone when I was menstruating, then hand it over to the Prophet [ﷺ] and he would put his mouth where mine had been. [Ref 1]  This shows the Prophet’s [sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam] strong love for Aa’isha and also the perfection of his [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] humility and good nature. [Ref 2]

Aa’isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa] was asked how the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was with his family at home.  She [radiyallaahu-anhaa] said, “He used to be in the service of his family”. [Reported by Bukhaari]

“After nightfall the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] would engage in a conversation with Aa-isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa].” [Reported by Imaam Bukhaari]


[Ref 1: Saheeh Muslim’ Hadeeth Number 300]; [Ref 2: ‘Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh’- Hadeeth Number 547; Page 230; Vol 2; Publisher: Daarul Kutub Al-Imiyyah (1st edition. 1422AH (Year 2001)]

The Attitude of The Believer Towards This Worldly Life When He Reaches The Morning And The Evening

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah (The Most High) informed us that the believer amongst the people of Pharaoh said:

 يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَتَـٰعٌ۬ وَإِنَّ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ هِىَ دَارُ ٱلۡقَرَارِ

“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [1]

Mujaahid (rahimahullaah) narrated: Abdullaah Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) took hold of my shoulder and said: ‘’Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.’’  The subnarrator added: Ibn Umar Used to say: ‘’If you survive till the evening, do not expect ti be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death.’’ [2]

The Muslim is like a stranger in this worldly life: The stranger is one residing in a country other than his country.  The worldly life is not the Muslim’s permanent place of residence; rather the Muslim’s permanent place of residence is paradise.  He is in this worldly life to work for entry into Paradise. He takes what is needed from this world to aid him work for entry into paradise.

 The Muslim is like a traveller in this worldly life: The traveller takes rest during his journey and then carries on travelling. He does not reside permanently in that place he stopped to take a rest.  In the life of this world the Muslim is that traveller.  In reality he is not a permanent resident in the worldly life because his time in it is very little.  His nights and days take him towards the afterlife.

 What is befitting the Muslim with regards to the days, nights, and his health etc! If you reach the morning do not delay good deeds till in the evening because it maybe that you will not reach the evening.  If you reach the evening do not delay good deeds till the morning because it maybe that you will not reach the morning.  Do not delay repentance and righteous deeds till another time.

As long as a person is in a state of good health and wellbeing, he is able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc; but when he becomes sick he is not able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc.  Therefore, as long as Allaah has given you good health, then hasten towards righteous actions because a time will come in which you will be unable to perform them-either due to illness, old age, or senility. Prepare for death and what is to come after it. Allaah gave you this life in order that you busy yourself with what will benefit you in the afterlife. So do not spend your life in play and jest.  [3]


References: [1]Soorah Ghaafir: Ayah 39; [2]Bukhaari: The Book of Ar-Riqaaq Vol 8: Hadeeth Number: 6416]; [3] Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Minhatur Rabbaaniyyah Fee sharh al-arba’een of Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) pages 285 287. slightly paraphrased]

Slave of The Deenaar And Dirham

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Narrated Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu]: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “let the slave of the Deenaar and Dirham, and Qateefah and khameesah [i.e. money and luxurious clothes] perish, for he is pleased if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased”. [Bukhaari. Number 2886]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on this hadeeth as follows:

This hadeeth is about the one who only seeks after the Dunyah [worldly possessions] and does not desire the Hereafter; rather his only desire is Dunyah. He does not give concern to his religion, rather his only concern is the Dunyah; so if he is given something from the Dunyah he becomes pleased with Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and the people; but if he is not given from it, he becomes displeased with Allaah and the people.

[تعس ]- meaning ‘destroyed’.  [التعس] means ‘destruction’ and unsuccessful. [Allaah (The Most High) said]: [وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَتَعۡسً۬ا لَّهُمۡ – But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah), for them is destruction. (47:8)]

Why is he called a slave [of the Deenaar and dirham]? That is because he attaches his heart to it [i.e. wealth], so the worldly life becomes as if it is his lord. He attaches his heart to it and becomes enslaved by it. The poet says:

*I obeyed my desires and thus they enslaved me

*And had I indeed been satisfied [with what I have] I would have been free

Therefore, this man’s concern is [only] the Dunyah- if given from it he becomes pleased, praises and extols; but if not given, indeed he is displeased and angry, just as Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] stated about the hypocrites:

وَمِنۡہُم مَّن يَلۡمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَإِنۡ أُعۡطُواْ مِنۡہَا رَضُواْ وَإِن لَّمۡ يُعۡطَوۡاْ مِنۡہَآ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡخَطُونَ

And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [9:58]

Their pleasure and displeasure is attached to wealth. The one who (becomes) pleased and displeased (solely) for the sake of wealth is a hypocrite, a slave of the Deenaar and the Dirham. Allaah [The Most High] said: [ وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ رَضُواْ مَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤۡتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥۤ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٲغِبُونَ – Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger () gave them and had said: “Allah is Sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and (also) His Messenger (from alms, etc.). We implore Allah (to enrich us)]. [9:59]

This (hadeeth) conveys a rebuke against covetousness and that a person should not solely be pleased or displeased due to the Dunyah, rather his anger and pleasure should be for the sake of his religion and for the sake of Allaah. As for the Dunyah, if he is given something of it he takes it; but if not given anything from it, then indeed he should say: “Allaah suffices me and He will give me give from His bounty”.

When the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to distribute wealth, he used to give those whose Eemaan was weak and the hypocrites – gave them more; but he did not give anything to the best of the Sahaabah; rather he entrusted them to their religion, for indeed due to their [strong] Eemaan they would not become angry if not given. As for the people of weak Eemaan, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] feared that they will be enraged, so he gave them and brought their hearts closer [the religion].

So this [hadeeth also conveys the affair of] piety and that it is obligated on a person not to attach his heart to the Dunyah [i.e. in the blameworthy manner mentioned in this hadeeth] – solely getting angry and pleased due to it; rather he should attach his heart to Allaah. As for the Dunyah, if he is given something lawful from it- which he did not ask for- then indeed he takes it and utilises it as a means of obedience to Allaah; but if he is not given anything, then indeed his religion suffices him and he places his trust and reliance in Allaah. This is the difference between the people of the Dunyah [i.e. those who solely strive for it at the expense of the Aakhirah] and the people of the Deen [i.e. those who seek after lawful provision in the worldly life and make the afterlife their main goal].

Source: An Excerpt from Tasheelul Il’haam Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeeth Min Bulooghil Maraam’ Vol 6’ page 217-218. Publisher: Daar al-Imaam Ahmad’ 1st edition 1430 AH (Year 2009). slightly paraphrased

The Idle Person; Two Destructive Affairs; Acquire Knowledge Before It Is Taken Away: [Admonition By Abdullah Bin Mas’ood]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Ibn Mas’ood said:

“I dislike to see a man being idle- neither (occupied) with beneficial affairs of the dunya, nor deeds of the Aakhira”. [Ref 1]

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said:

“[There] are two affairs that are destructive- Self-amazement and despairing of Allaah’s Mercy”. [Ref 2]

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said:

“Acquire knowledge before it is taken away and it being taken away is the departure of its people (i.e. the death of the scholars). Indeed, beware of [التنَطُّع  (i.e. going beyond what Allaah has legislated with regards to one’s practice of the religion); التعمُّق (i.e. looking too deeply into affairs in a manner that leads a person to overstep the boundaries of the legislation) and  بدع  (innovation in religion). And upon you is (to hold onto the) ancient affair (i.e. the way of the Salaf)”. [Ref 3]


Ref 1: Al- Fawaaid page 213; Ref 2: Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/298; Ref 3: Reported by Bayhaqiy (rahimahullaah) in Al-Madkhal Ilaa As-Sunan Al-Kubraa Number: 387; Ad-Daarimiy (rahimahullaah) in As-Sunan 1/54; Ibn Abdul Barr (rahimahullaah) in Jaami Bayaan al-Ilm 1/152; Al-Khateeb (rahimahullaah) in Al-Faqeeh Wal-Mutafaqqih 1/43

There’s No [Unrestricted or Unconditional] Allegiance to Anyone Besides The Infallible Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [rahimahullaah] stated:

There is no [unrestricted or unconditional] allegiance except to the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] because he is infallible and never speaks out of his desires. As for unrestricted allegiance to personalities whether they are correct or mistaken, then indeed this is not permissible for the seeker of knowledge. On the other hand, he should look to such and such Shaikhs as to which of them is upon uprightness and is following the Manhaj of the Salaf. This is the one whom we place our hands on his hands- not out of blameworthy blind following, rather due to the fact that he is upon the truth. So we agree with him upon truth and follow a singular path in obedience to the statement of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]: [وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ  – And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path] [6:153]

As for the one who selects Shaikhs, leaders and guides, whilst being in agreement with them- in what is correct and wrong- to the extent that they do not leave their Manhaj whether they are correct or wrong, then these are the people who bring evil upon themselves and upon others. And if they do not repent, then they are most worthy of being blamed. So the affair-and all praise belongs to Allaah- is clear and it is not permissible for a person to be in confusion regarding this affair.

Therefore, we are with those who follow the straight path-we follow a singular path which Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] has commanded us to follow and which the messenger called us to. And those you follow the wrong path or are mistaken in many of their affairs, or in some of their affairs, we leave him [i.e. we leave his mistakes or abandon him when he deserves to be boycotted]. None is followed in everything except the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. As for the people, then indeed they can be correct or mistaken. Indeed, we do not follow them and we do not follow their footsteps solely because they are Shaikhs, Callers to Islaam, leaders or guides; rather you should be with the people of the Salafi Manhaj-those who follow the correct manhaj and correct understanding.

[العقد المنضد الجديد في الإجابة على مسائل في الفقه والمناهج والتوحيد -(page:144) ]

 

An Incident Between AbuBakr As-Siddeeq And Rabee’ah Al-Aslami – [A Lesson On Maturity, Fair play, True Brotherhood, Being Eager to Give People Their Rights And Supplicating For One Another When Disagreement Related to a Worldly Affair Occurs]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Rabee’ah Al-Aslami [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated, “I used to serve the Messenger of Allaah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], so he gave me a piece of land and gave Abu Bakr a piece of land. Then, the worldly life came and we argued over a bunch of palm trees, so Abu Bakr said, ‘It is in my piece of land!’ and I said, ‘It is in my piece of land!’

Then there was an exchange of words between Abu Bakr and myself, so Abu Bakr said something to me that I disliked, and he regretted that. So, he said to me, ‘O Rabee’ah! Say in return to me what I said to you so that it becomes a retribution’. I said, ‘I will not do so!’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Say it, or I will call the Messenger of Allaah on you!’ I said, ‘I will not do so’.

So Abu Bakr abandoned the piece of land and went to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and I followed him.  The people from [the tribe of] Aslam came and said, ‘May Allaah have mercy on Abu Bakr! Why would he call the Messenger of Allaah on you when he has said to you what he has said?’ So I said, ‘Do you know who that is? That is Abu Bakr -the Truthful [as-Siddeeq]! He is the one who was in the Cave with the Prophet [sallal laahu-alayhi wasallam], and he is the elder of the Muslims! So beware that he turns around and see you helping me against him and it makes him angry, then the Messenger of Allaah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] comes along and become angry because of Abu Bakr’s anger, and then Allaah becomes angry due to their anger, and thus Rabee’ah is destroyed!’ So, they said, ‘So what do you want us to do?’ I said, ‘Go back to where you came from.’

So Abu Bakr went to the Messenger of Allah and I followed him by myself and continued until he got to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and informed him of our conversation as it happened. So he [the Prophet] raised his head to me and said, ‘O Rabee’ah! What is going on between you and as-Siddeeq?’ So I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! This happened and that happened, so he said something to me that I disliked, and he told me to say the same thing back to him so that it be would be a retribution’. So the Messenger of Allaah said, ‘Do not return his comment to him, rather say ‘May Allaah forgive you O Abu Bakr! May Allaah forgive you O Abu Bakr!’ So Abu Bakr turned his face and began to cry’”.

Beneficial Reminders From This Hadeeth By Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah]

This hadeeth contains an amazing story from which we can take an exhortation and a lesson. Firstly, it is a proof regarding the purity of the hearts of the Sahaabah towards one another, and that when disagreement occurred between them regarding a worldly affair, they did not boycott one another – neither harboured resentment nor hatred; rather one gave sincere advice to the other.

This story shows that the Sahaabah were people of fair play and justice, and they feared falling into disobedience and evil deeds. And if punishment was legislated for an evil deed, they wished that such punishment is received in this worldly life and not the afterlife.

This story shows the virtue of AbuBakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] – his status in the eyes of the Sahaabah,  in the eyes of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and also in the sight of Allaah, for indeed the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] use to hold him in high esteem and raised him to his rightful status, just as Allaah stated in the Qur’aan: [إِذۡ هُمَا فِى ٱلۡغَارِ إِذۡ يَقُولُ لِصَـٰحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحۡزَنۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا‌ۖ – The second of two, when they were in the cave, and he [Muhammad (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam)] said to his companion [Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu)], “Be not sad [or afraid], surely Allaah is with us”. [Surah At-tawbah. Aayah 40]

AbuBakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] was the Prophet’s [sallal-laahu-alayhi- wasallam] companion in the cave. He is the most virtuous person in the Ummah after the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] based on the consensus of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah – past and present. Indeed, the Prophet [sallal laahu- alayhi wasallam] said to some of his companions regarding AbuBakr’s [radiyallaahu-anhu] affair, “Would you not leave my companion for me” – meaning AbuBakr [i.e. refrain from annoying or harming AbuBakr (radiyallaahu-anhu)] [Bukhari 3661]

This story shows the virtue of being forgiving and pardoning the one who wrongs you when you are able to do so and based on [a lawful and overriding] benefit, for indeed being forgiving and pardoning others will not increase you in anything except honour and a higher status in the sight of Allaah.

This story also shows that the companions of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] were not infallible. Mistakes did occur from them unintentionally, but they were a people whom Allaah favoured with the companionship of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], and they did not persist upon mistakes as it is seen in this story. Indeed, disagreement did occur between them [ref 1], but they humbled themselves to the truth- neither repelled the truth with falsehood nor indulged in oppression; rather they hastened to Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] to resolve the [disagreements] that occurred between them. The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] resolved those issues and all of them were pleased with the judgement and submitted with full submission.

This story shows the virtue of supplicating for others, especially for the one who wronged you. So, you supplicate for him that [Allaah] rectifies his affairs and forgives him, for indeed you have an angel who says, “Aameen and may Allaah grant you the same”. Therefore, one should be eager for this!

This story shows that to fulfil the rights of the people in this worldly life is better than leaving the affair until the day of judgement when none will  pardon another person, even if such person is the closest relative to him.

This story shows the virtue of Rabee’ah Al-Aslami [radiyallaahu-anhu] who advised his companions that neither should they be his supporters nor argue on his behalf against AbuBakr [radiyallaahu-anhu], because he knew the status of AbuBakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] in the sight of Allaah and the Messenger.

What do we derive as benefit from this story:

We should pardon and maintain love for one another when disagreement occurs between us regarding an affair of the Dunyaa. A person should be eager to give people their rights and also seek the forgiveness of the one he disputed with. [An Excerpt from ‘At-taleeqaat Al-maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah. Pages 42-44. Slightly paraphrased]

Ref: Differing Amongst The Sahaabah:

https://safeshare.tv/x/ss5d4fde1296604#

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2014/02/part-3-a-reply-to-asim-al-hakeems-nonsense-the-sahaabah-differed-in-aqeedah/

The Students of Hadeeth Should Strive to Be The Best In Behaviour!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

It is necessary (or crucial) that the seekers of Hadeeth should have the most perfect [behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc] amongst the people, be the most humble amongst the people, the greatest in their impartiality and adherence to the religion, the least in (deviating from good conduct) and (being overcome with) anger, because they constantly listen to the narrations that gathers the excellent manners and etiquettes of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], the lives of the virtuous pious predecessors, the path of the scholars of Hadeeth and the virtues of the (pious ones and scholars) who have passed away; so they adhere to the purest and excellent (aspects of those traits, etiquettes, manners etc) and turn away from the most despised and lowly [(raits, behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc). [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm 1/78. By Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

Judges Are Three Types – [One Promised Paradise and Two Threatened With Hell]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] said:

When it is the case that the [true] followers of the Prophets are people of knowledge and justice, then the speech of the people of Islaam and the Sunnah about the disbelievers and people of bidah is to be [carried out] with knowledge and justice, and not [based on] conjecture and the soul’s desire. And due to this, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam] said, “Judges are three types; one will go to Paradise and two to Hell. A man who knows the truth and judges with it will enter paradise; a man who knows the truth but judges with the opposite of it will enter the fire, and a man who judges for the people based on ignorance will enter the fire’’. [Reported by Imaam Abu Dawud and others]

And when it is the case that the one who judges between the people in [affairs] of wealth, blood [i.e. murder cases etc] and honour will enter the hell fire if he is not a just scholar, then what about the one who passes judgements without knowledge-such being the case with ahlul bidah- on religions, the fundamental principles of Imaan, affairs of knowledge related to Allaah, His Names, Attributes and Actions, and the lofty affairs of knowledge?!’’

[Al-Jawaabus Saheeh 1/107-108]

 

 

The Great Reward for the One Who Maintains the Ties of Kinship

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: The questioner asks: We have blood relations who revile us, so is it obligatory that we have to visit them and maintain the ties of kinship?

Answer: Maintaining the ties of kinship is from the best of deeds due to the saying of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him maintain the ties of kinship. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim from Anas Ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu-anhu)]

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, “The Prophet [sallal-laahi-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘The Prophet said: Indeed Ar-Rahim (the womb) derives its root from Ar-Rahmãn (i.e., one of the Names of Allah) and Allah said: ‘I will keep good relation with the one who will keep good relation with you, (womb i.e., kith and kin) and sever the relation with him who will sever the relation with you, (womb, i.e., kith and kin).” [Reported by Bukhaari]

So even if you receive harm or revilement from them, it is still obligated on you to exercise patience in bearing their harm and deal with them kindly, and you’ll obtain a great reward (from Allaah). Abu Hurairah reported that a man said Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: A man said to the Messenger of Allaah, “I have relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I am patient and kind towards them, but they insult me.” The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “If you are as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot dust in their mouths. Allaah will continue to support you as long as you continue to do that”. [Reported by Muslim]

Abdullah Ibn Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly upholding the ties of kinship. The one who truly upholds those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship. [Reported by Bukhaari] This is difficult upon the soul (i.e. a hard thing to bear patiently) but it carries a great reward.

[Source: Fadaa’il Al- A’maal pages 14-15’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

 

 

 

 

 

Relationship Between Grandparents And Grandchildren

 In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The questioner asks: A relative of mine has children and those children neither sit with their grandmother nor do they visit her except occasionally, and the excuse they give is that she is harsh towards them. Her son is the only one who sits with her, so is this [i.e. behaviour of her grandchildren] permissible?

Answer: It is obligated on them to sit with her and make her happy because she is their grandmother. She is like their mother, so it is obligated on them to treat her with kindness and this is part of maintaining the ties of kinship. It is obligated on her son to nurture his children upon this [i.e. to keep the ties of kinship], deal kindly and softly with their grandmother. Likewise it is obligated on the grandmother to be gentle towards these children and not to be harsh towards them if what the children say is true. Abdullaah Ibn Amr [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “He (or she) is not one of us, who does not respect our elders and is not merciful to our youngsters”. [Reported by Imam Ahmad]

[Source: Fadaa’il Al- A’maal page 19’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]