ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Tahzeeb-ul-islam (islamic Ettiquettes) Classes of Human Beings, their Rights and the Manner of Living with other people The rights of relatives, slaves (males and females): It is stated in many reliable traditions that pity on the day of resurrection will hold the heavens of God and beseech the Almighty to render kindness on those who were kind to their relations and not to be kind to those who were not kind to them during their hours on earth.

According to many traditions, being kind to the relatives makes your action be rewarded for, increases your daily earnings, makes worries disappear, increases age, and the ordeal on giving account of one's action on the day of resurrection becomes easier. A reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that there are two ends of Pul-e-Sirat, there is Amanat (trust) on one end and pity and kindness to relatives on the other end.

Therefore people who have never misused the trust kept in them and have been kind to their relatives will cross the path very easily and will enter heaven; but those who have misappropriated the trust preserved with them and have spoken badly about their relatives, will not be benefitted by their deeds and they will be thrown from Pul-e-Sirat.

According to another tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), a person inquired from him whether he had any obligation towards his relatives who are not Shias. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) emphasised that the person is obliged to be kind towards his non-shia relatives, for kindness cannot be deprived to anyone whoever he may be. However, if the relatives are Shias, one is doubly obliged.

One should not only show kindness to them which is their due but should take into consideration their being one of the brotherhood - namely, Muslims or Shias. Further it is stated that dispersing kindness with people of one's religion will make it easier for one to render his accounts on the Day of Judgement; besides, many sins will be forgiven.

Therefore, it is advisable not to restrain from kindness whether it is with brothers of your own religion or with others, though it may be just greeting them or responding to their greetings. According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), there are things, the doer of which gets punished before he dies; these being, cruelty, restraining of kindness to one's relations and false swearings and promises.