After this the same person asked, “After this which is the worst sin?

After this the same person asked, “After this which is the worst sin?” The Holy Prophet (S) replied: “To enjoin the evil and to forbid the good (deeds).” ^2 Goodness in Return of Ill-Treatment A man complained to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) about his relatives.

Imam (a.s.) said, “Swallow your anger and behave nicely with your relatives.” The man said, “My relatives give me all sorts of troubles and there is hardly any cruelty they have not committed upon me.” The Imam (a.s.) told him, “Do you also want to cut off relation with them? If you also become like them, then Allah will never have mercy for you.” Allama Majlisi (r.a.) says, “If one behaves kindly to the relatives who are bad, they would at one time or the other regret their behaviour.

Then the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.) will be upon both of them. If the ill-behaved relatives do not rectify their ways then at least the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.) will be upon the one who continues kindness to them (the relatives). It is very clear to us that we must not sever relations even with those relatives who are unkind to us and who want to cut off the relationships.

The Holy Prophet (S) says: “Do not sever relation with your kindered even if they cut off relations with you.” ^3 Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) states: “There are Three sins whose punishment has to be borne in this world itself:- The first is injustice, the second is breaking of relationships and the third is false oath.” ^4 Life is Shortened Hazrat ‘Ali (a.s.) says in one of his sermons: - “I seek refuge from the sins which cause the hastening of death.” Someone asked him, “Maula, Is there any sin by which the death is hastened?” He replied, “Yes, the breaking up of the family ties.” Families who live with co-operation and care for each other are given increase in sustenance by Allah (S.w.T.) and those who remain divided and are aloof from each other, Allah (S.w.T.) removes the bounty from their sustenance and their lifespan shortens even if they are all pious (in other respects).

Death due to Qat’a ar-Rahm A companion of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) complained about the ill-treatment given to him by his relatives, “My own brother as well as my paternal cousins are harassing me. They have snatched the house that rightfully belonged to me and have given me only a room to live in. If I complain to the government, I shall be able to recover all my property. Imam (a.s.) said, “Be patient, everything will be alright.” The man returned satisfied.