Experts emphasized the positive effects that strengthening kinship ties will bring to both individual and social life, stating that Eid holidays are an opportunity to reinforce these special bonds.
Emphasizing that Eid holidays should be an opportunity for maintaining kinship ties for those who have to earn a living in places far from their parents and relatives under today's conditions, Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören said, 'Visiting relatives, especially parents, with small gifts, receiving blessings from elders, and gaining the love of the young essentially means celebrating Eid properly.'
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, Faculty Member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies, made important statements about establishing good relationships with relatives during Eid, which is known as maintaining kinship ties (sıla-i rahim).
Those who establish good relationships with relatives will receive their share of divine mercy
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören explained that maintaining kinship ties (sıla-i rahim), which expresses sustaining kinship bonds, relatives visiting each other, and establishing good relationships, consists of the words 'sıla,' meaning relationship, and 'rahim,' meaning kinship bond. He said, 'The dictionary meaning of rahim is the mother's womb. Our Prophet established a connection between maintaining kinship ties and Allah’s name Ar-Rahman, meaning the Most Compassionate and Merciful, indicating that those who establish good relationships with relatives will receive their share of divine mercy, while those who neglect them will be deprived of it. He even emphasized that maintaining kinship ties also applies to non-Muslim close relatives. He stated that the verse (Al-Mumtahanah 60/8) meaning ‘Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and justly with those who do not fight you for [your] religion or drive you from your homes’ points to this.'
Kinship ties should also be maintained with those who sever relationships
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören noted that in the noble Hadith, maintaining kinship ties is mentioned alongside fundamental rules of religion such as not associating partners with Allah, performing prayer, and giving zakat. He recalled that when a Companion asked, 'Can you tell me a deed that will lead me to Paradise?' Prophet Muhammad replied, 'Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him; perform your prayer, give your zakat, and look after your relatives.' He continued:
'Among the fundamental principles of Sufism, which aims to live and spread Islam with love, there is the understanding of 'not hurting and not being hurt.' Accordingly, a person should primarily aim 'not to hurt.' Succeeding in not hurting fosters and strengthens love among people. However, when hurtful behaviors come from the other side, it is also necessary to succeed in 'not being hurt' to prevent the severance of love bonds. Indeed, our merciful Prophet, regarding maintaining kinship ties, which he highly valued, wished for kinship ties to be maintained even with those who sever relationships; he desired that these ties should not be broken and informed that no reciprocation should be expected in this regard. When asked a question about charity (sadaqa), as it would lead to increased love among relatives, he said: 'The best charity is that given to relatives, for it contains both the reward of charity and the reward of maintaining kinship ties.'
Maintaining Kinship Ties Beautifies Life and Blesses One's Lifespan
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that where there is love, the value of life will increase, and love will bless one's lifespan. He said, 'Indeed, some hadiths convey the good news that maintaining kinship ties will extend one's lifespan. Islamic scholars, focusing on such glad tidings, have explained this by relying on the verse (Ar-Ra‘d 13/39) meaning 'Allah erases what He wills and establishes what He wills,' stating that Allah Almighty may change the predetermined lifespan for a person, granting them a longer life, or that 'Allah grants such people righteous offspring who will pray for them after their passing.'
Eid Holidays and Maintaining Kinship Ties…
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören also emphasized that Eid holidays should be an opportunity for maintaining kinship ties for those who have to earn a living in places far from their parents and relatives under today's conditions. He concluded his words by saying, 'Visiting relatives, especially parents, with small gifts, receiving blessings from elders, and gaining the love of the young essentially means celebrating Eid properly. It should not be forgotten that increasing goodness multiplies love, and where love flourishes, the spirit of solidarity also strengthens. Life's difficulties can be overcome more easily in this way. The increase of love means the beautification of life.'