Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We are currently celebrating the blessed Eid al-Adha. Alhamdulillah. May our acts of worship be accepted and our Eid be blessed.

The family is a person’s first school. It is the place where love, respect and compassion are learned. The foundation of a strong society is built upon families shaped by mercy and compassion. For this reason, our religion has placed love and kindness at the centre of family life, it has encouraged peace between spouses and understanding and compassion between parents and children. The Quran states: “Be mindful of Allah and do not sever the ties of kinship,”^[1]thereby emphasizing together both obedience to Allah and responsibility towards family ties. Rasulullah (saw), who was sent as a mercy to the worlds, said: “The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.”^[2] Every beautiful relationship established within the family is among the most valuable investments in the future of society.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Compassion is the softness of the heart and the moral quality of being able to understand the condition of others. Our beloved Prophet (saw) said: “Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.”^[3] teaching us how essential this quality is. Within the family, compassion is shown by avoiding hurtful words, being forgiving and easing one another’s burdens. Spouses approaching each other with understanding, children being raised with love and the elderly being cared for with respect are among the most beautiful expressions of compassion. Individuals raised in a compassionate family environment carry these same virtues into society.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In Islam, the act of charity is not limited to financial assistance alone. This is highlighted in the hadith: “Smiling at your believing brother is charity. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is charity. Guiding someone who has lost their way is charity. Removing stones, thorns, bones, and similar harmful things from the road is also charity for you.”^[4] Every good deed done within the family is, in essence, regarded as charity. A mother patiently raising her child, a father making sacrifices for his family and siblings supporting one another are all valuable forms of charity in the sight of Allah. Families who act with this awareness attain peace in this world and receive the promised reward in the Hereafter.

 

Dear Jama’ah!

Let us not forget that there can be no true peace in a family where compassion is absent. No matter how great the material means may be, if love and mercy are lacking, hearts become constrained. Yet even a small act of kindness, sincere care and heartfelt sharing strengthens family bonds and brings hearts closer together. Charity and compassion are not only a remedy for those in need, but also a healing for our own hearts. As Muslims, we should make our families centres of compassion and generosity. We must teach our children not only knowledge, but also conscience and the spirit of sharing. As spouses, we should be more patient and understanding towards one another. We should also not forget those in need and should never withhold whatever help we are able to offer. May Allah (swt) make us among His compassionate servants. May He grant peace and tranquillity to our families. O Allah! Bless our hearts with compassion, our tables with abundance, our families with peace, stability and serenity. Amin.

[1] Surah An-Nisa, 1:4

[2] Tirmizî, Menâkıb, 63

[3] Buhârî, Edeb 18; Müslim, Fezâil, 65

[4] Tirmizî, Birr, 36

 

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