In this ayah, Allah is telling us to give our relatives their due right.
فَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the countenance of Allah, and it is they who will be the successful. (al-Rum: 38)
Giving our relatives their rights could be by spending on them or by being kind to them, or taking care of their needs, or calling them up and maintaining ties with them in general. Think of your relatives and make a short list. Start with your closest relatives – your siblings, your aunts, uncles, cousins, and then the next closest and the next closest.
And sometimes we may even have relatives, who are bad to us, who try to cut ties with us. But even then, do good to them. Rise above such behavior and make the effort to do ihsan and give them their due right.
The Prophet (saw) said, “The best sadaqah is the one given to the relative who for hidden enmity for you, keeps away from you” [Musnad Ahmad]
‘ Abdullah bin ‘Amr said, “The Prophet g said, ‘Al-Wasil is not the one who recompenses the good done to him by his relatives, but Al-Wasil is the one who keeps good relations with those relatives who had severed the bond of kinship with him.” [Bukhari]
In addition to the relative, we are also told to give the miskeen and the traveler their rights as well. A miskeen is someone who has wealth, but it’s not enough to fulfill all of his needs. A traveler – someone who may need lodging, who needs help, or directions. If he’s lost, you help them.
And in all this, whether you spend on your relatives, or you give the miskeen his rights, or you help the traveller – seek the Countenance of Allah. When we do anything, we should do it sincerely, seeking the Pleasure of Allah, His Countenance, His Approval.
So worship Allah as those you see him. Worship Him at the level of ihsan, because that is what brings ikhlas.
And the one with whom Allah is happy with, then that person will be granted the privilege of seeing Allah’s Countenance in the Hereafter.
