Regarding this blessed Ayah, a great thinker of Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: The way Salah, Sawm, Hajj, Zakah etc. are necessary for Muslims, similarly, it is also extremely necessary to fulfil the rights of relatives. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه further said: It is very effective for the world and the Hereafter to treat the dear and near ones well; this is better for our life, death and the Hereafter. (Tafseer-e-Na’eemi, vol. 4, pp. 455,456)

‘Allamah Maulana Mufti Muhammad Amjad ‘Ali A’zami رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: There is a consensus of entire Ummah on this thing that Silah Rihm (treat relatives well) is Wajib Muslims have been unconditionally commanded in Ahadees to treat relatives with kindness. The words ‘ذَوِي الۡقُرۡبٰي’ (i.e. relatives) were unconditionally stated in the Holy Quran.

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has further stated: One can treat his relatives with kindness in different ways. For example, giving them gifts, providing them help if they need it, saying Salam to them, meeting them, talking to them and treating them gracefully and nicely. If a person is in a foreign country, he should remain in correspondence with his relatives so that relationship is not broken off. If possible, he should come to his country so that ties with his relatives are strengthened. (Over recent years, letter writing has been replaced by other ways of communicating. Especially through Internet facility, people can easily correspond with one another and can strengthen their relations. All these communication means are permissible because here the purpose is to maintain the ties.) (Bahar-e-Shari’at, part 16, vol. 3, pp. 558)

Ten virtues of treating relatives with kindness

Sayyiduna Faqeeh Abul Lays Samarqandi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: There are ten virtues of treating relatives with kindness: (1) It brings about the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. (2) It pleases people. (3) It delights angels. (4) It earns you praise from Muslims. (5) It upsets Satan. (6) It increases age. (7) It brings blessings in sustenance. (8) It pleases the deceased forefathers (i.e. the Muslim father and grandfather). (9) It fosters harmony. (10) It increases reward after demise because people make Du’a for such a person. (Tanbih-ul-Ghafileen, pp. 73)