So far as this world's rewards are concerned...

So far as this world's rewards are concerned, they are given to anyone who practises silat arrahim, even if he is an unbeliever. These are as follows a) His life is elongated; b) His sustenance is increased; c) His home and family prosper; d) His death pangs are eased. But the rewards of the life Hereafter depend upon Islam and true faith. They are a) silat ar-rahim is complementary to the fear of Allah and piety. Piety without silat ar-rahim is a thing incomplete.

b) All the gates of Paradise will be opened for the believer who practises silat ar-rahim. On the other hand `severing relationship' keeps a man away from all these benefits. It is not possible to give here all the ahadith in praise of `joining relationship' nor the , ones condemning `severing relationship'. However, a few ayat and ahadith concerning `severing relationship' are given below to complete the subject. 40. THE EVILS OF SEVERING RELATIONSHIP Here are three ayat: Those who break.

Allah's covenant after it is ratified, and who cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth; these cause loss to themselves. (Qur'an, 2:27) And those who break the covenant of Allah after having plighted their word thereto, and cut asunder those things which Allah has commanded to be joined, and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse, and for them is the terrible home.

(Qur'an, 13:25) Then, belike ye are, if ye hold authority, that ye make mischief in the land and break the ties of relationship? Such are the men whom Allah has cursed, for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.

(Qur'an, 47:22 -23) Now some ahadith: Amir al-mu'minin `Ali (a.s.) said in one of his sermons: "I seek protection of Allah from the sins which hasten death." `Abdullah ibn Kawwa said: "O' Amir al-mu'minin, is there any sin which hastens death?" Amir al-mu'minin said: "Yes; and it is severance of relationships.

Verily, members of a family remain united and help each other, so Allah gives them sustenance, though they be drinkers of liquor; and, verily, members of a family separate from each other and one of them severs relationship from another, so Allah deprives them (of their sustenance) though they be pious." al-Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said: "My father told me in his wasiyyah (will): `O' my son, do not sit with five persons, do not talk with them, nor accompany them in a path,' "I said: `May I be your ransom, O' father!