What is the philosophy behind the importance of connection with relatives from Islamic perspective?

Visiting the relatives or “صله الرحم” is so much recommended in Islam

There are many Narrations which advise us to have such relations.

The word “رحم” which means relative, is defined as our relatives who have a specific relation and that relation has been described in this way: the relatives that our root and their root have been derived from one womb, because the literal meaning of the word “رحم” is womb, so some relatives like brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, their children etc. are included in this recommendation.

It must be said that it does not mean that having good relation with other people and Muslims is not recommended, but rather because these relatives are very near, we are more responsible about them.

The meaning of the word صله” ” which literally means connection, is described from different angles, sometimes we must help them financially (beside other kinds of good relations like visiting and being kind to them) and that is to help the parents that are in financial need and it is obligatory upon the children to give them “نفقه” or sustenance if the children are able to do so, and this is a jurisprudential rule in this regard.

And sometimes means to be aware of them and have relation with them although through just saying hello and giving greeting and at least it must be to the extent that if other people see the relatives, they don’t say that these relatives are like strangers to each other and are not aware of each other.

So let’s talk about the philosophy behind this rule:

In Islam, unity and empathy between Muslims are so much recommended, in the first level between the members of a family, in the second between the relatives and in the third between Muslims.

Good relation between the relatives (which is our subject) is so important and there are many Narrations in this regard, like:

The holy Prophet of Islam said:

“Having good relation with the relatives, is a cause which makes the cities to be developed and reclaimed and enhances the lifetime, even though the doers of this relation are not good people.”

Imam Sadiq peace be upon him said:

“Good relation with the relatives makes the calculation on the Day of Judgment easy, and it enhances the lifetime and it prevents from the tragic death.”

The holy Prophet of Islam was asked: what is the most hated act before Allah?

He replied: Shirk (believing in others as god beside Allah), then the Prophet was asked: and what is after that?

And he replied: cutting the relation with relatives.

You know when the relatives visit each other and get aware of each other and have good contact, what a beneficial and joyful relation can be formed, they get aware of the problems that each one has, and they try to solve them financially or through other ways, you know many times when spouses are at the time of getting divorce, a lot of divorces can be prevented through the advice of an important member of their relatives, and apart from these benefits, they get happy and their heart get released from any hatred or animosity toward each other and this kind of pure and happy heart is definitely nearer to the health in its both spiritual and physical meanings.
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Source:Farsnews.com