How the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with his relatives

Introduction:

The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the kindest and most gentle of all people towards his relatives, as was testified to by those who where closest to him. For he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was described as: "The most dutiful of people and the best at upholding the ties of kinship."

Family and relatives who make up one’s immediate environment always had special importance in pre-Islamic Arab society, which gave rise to a spirit of tribal loyalty amongst people from the same tribe and branch. Very often, this led to serious tribal wars and rivalry. Within such a context, the exemplary relationships that Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had with his tribe and family helped put aside the tribal prejudices and chauvinism and created a sound framework of relationships among family and relatives based on Islamic brotherhood, cooperation and standing up for the truth.

The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, taught his family, relatives and close Companions to be committed to the cause of freedom, truth and justice. The majority of the problems today arise from racism, ethnic rivalry, discrimination and social injustice. Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, decried anyone who claimed superiority on the basis of the color of skin and tribal pride. The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, established a society based on One Creator and One Religion, which superseded all narrow considerations of clan or color.

The Quraysh leader Abu Sufyaan, the rich trader Abu Bakr, the Persian immigrant Salmaan Al-Faarisi and the African slave Bilaal became brothers in a family of the Muslim community.

This change of the ignorant, race-conscious, and tough Arab tribes into the civilized citizens of a new Islamic State was less imaginable to anyone than the magic of turning base metal into gold. Yet, it was made possible by the sublime personal example and guidance of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, which is the means by which his family and Companions tasted success.