Family Values and Parent-Child Relationship in Islam

It seems that terrorism is the only projection of Islam that the media
likesto display; non-Muslims are rarely introduced to any meaningful
aspects of Islam. And yet, one of the growing attractions to Islam is
the family values that are upheld byMuslims.
The foremost and fundamental institution of human society is the
family unit. A family is established by the coming together of a man
and a woman and their contact brings into existence a new generation.
It then produces ties of kinship and community, which gradually
develop into a large society. The family is the institution through
which a generation prepares the succeeding generation for the service
of human civilization and for the discharge of its social obligations
with devotion, sincerity and enthusiasm.
Islam has emphasized theimportance of the family unit, and has laid
down its governing rules and regulations in great detail in Noble
Qur'an and in the Sunnah. This highlights the importance of the family
with regards to the well-being of the individual, society and Muslim
Ummah.
One of the most striking features of Muslim society is the importance
attached to the family. The family forms the basic building block of
Muslim society. The family unit is regarded asthe cornerstone of a
healthy and balanced Muslim society. Despite the many pressures it
faces, the family institution remains strong in any Muslim society.
Muslim families around the globe have adopted many of the traditions
inherent in the culture ofthe country they live in. But still, there
are many Islamic traditions that unite Muslim families regardless of
ethnic or cultural background.
Islam devotes much attention to those relating to the family
andstrives to establish this important social unit on the healthiest
and strongest foundations. According to Islam, the correct form of
relationship between a man and woman is marriage, that is, the onein
which full social responsibilities are undertaken by them and which
results in the emergence of a family. Irresponsible behaviour are not
condoned by Islam as innocent past times or ordinary transgressions.
Rather, they are acts that strike at the very roots of human society.
Muslims strive to maintain close family andcommunity ties. These bonds
are strengthened during life-changing events, when Muslims turn to
each other for support and sometimes celebration. Muslim community
usually observes important personal and family milestones together.
They may gather to welcome a new member of the community (through
birth or conversion), congratulatea young person upon reaching
adulthood or mourn the loss of a community member who has passed away.
Islam places the roles of the man, women and children into the proper
perspective that will best serve the family and society. The woman is
not subjugated or inferior to the man, rather each has a proper place
in the creation that Allah (SWT) intended. TheFamily Values in Islam
areordained and highly esteemed; while the rest of the world is
falling apart around us we will always have our Muslim family.
In the traditions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) good
treatment of relatives has been emphasized and counted among the
highest virtues. Maintaining the bonds of kinship (silatur-rahim)
indeed enjoys extraordinary importance in Islam. Conversely, severing
the ties (qata-ur-rahim), is very high on the list of enormities. At
two places in Noble Qur'an (3:25, 47:22-23), Allah (SWT) hascursed the
one severing family ties.
We aspire to have Muslimfamilies - as Almighty Allah (SWT) intended
them to be - as entities ofcompassion, mercy, care and love, and
capable of issuing forth righteous generations, who can actas role
models to societies in general, proving that Islam places humanity on
the right path and offers a life of contentment.
By listing wide array of well-written articles (Muslim Family Stories)
appeals to all ages of Muslim Families, we hopeto assists Muslims
around the globe in forming and maintaining a healthy family values
based on Islamic beliefs and principles, by building strong family
structures, promoting healthy marriages, helping reduce divorces,
eradicating domestic violence.