By : Abida Rahmani
The family, which is the basic unit of civilization, is now disintegrating. Islam’s family system brings the rights of the husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine equilibrium. It nourishes unselfish behavior, generosity, and love in the framework of a well-organized family system. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and it is seen as essential for the spiritual and emotional growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families and by treasuring children.
Human being is socially bonded to many relations. First of all there are blood relations, from whom you are born or who are born from you. One of the most important bondage or relation is that of a husband and wife or spouses. Then it goes on with kinship to different levels and categories.
A family bondage is very important for the wellbeing or nurturing of a person and it’s a great trial or impossible to survive without those family ties. These family ties are adorable but trying too at certain times. One badly needs a family or relatives support in hard, trying and sensitive times. Their consolation and moral support helps a lot in building up the self-esteem and handle the grief and pain.
In Islam respect of elders and to be kind and loving with Youngers is a great part of religion. Respect for others shows great amounts of self-esteem to them. It is interesting to see how a child-orientated and religious orientated culture operates. Sacrificing own whims and desires for the benefit of family is a great part of Islamic society.
Individuals comprising any society are tied together by related group bonds. The strongest of all societal bonds is that of the family. And while it can be justifiably argued that the basic family unit is the foundation of any given human society, this holds particularly true for Muslims. As a matter of fact, the great status that Islam affords to the family system is the most important factor that so often attracts many new converts to Islam, particularly women. Family values play an integral role in the formation of Muslim society.
So, what are the particular values or traits of Islamic family life that so many are finding so appealing?
One can see that family values in Islam are one of its major attractions. These values stem from God and His guidance, through the Quran and the example and teaching of His Messenger, Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God upon him, who indicates the family unit as being one of the mainstays of religion and Islamic way of life. The importance of forming a family is underscored by a saying of the holy Prophet himself, who said:
“When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear God regarding the remaining half. (al-Baihaqi)
The Family is a part of the Islamic social order. The society that Islam wants to establish is a clean pure society. It establishes an ideological society, with a high level of moral awareness, strong commitment, attitude and fulfillment of an amazing human behavior. Its discipline is not an imposed discipline, but one that flows out of every individual’s commitment to the values and ideals of Islam. In this society a high degree of social responsibility prevails. The entire system operates in a way that strengthens and fortifies the family and not otherwise.
Thus we can truly claim that family relations are the back bone of Muslim society, which protect it from many evils.
A strong family is a great asset to value.
