What is a Family

Muslim family Concept. According to the definition of a family, it is a group of people living under one roof which consists of two parents raising their children. These are most probably related to each other by blood relations and by birth.

In the western world, the meanings of family differ however in the modern times with the rise of “single parent families” and “same sex marriages”. This is totally opposite to the Muslim belief of a family.

A Muslim Family

In a Muslim family, the couple are legally married (husband and wife) who raise their children. The joint family can also contain members like brothers and sisters of parents and their kids.

Allah (SWT) says, “And it is He Who has made man from water: Then He has set up relationships of family and marriage: And your Lord is ever All Powerful (over all things).” [Surah Al Furqaan: 54]

 The First Family

The very first family born on the face of this planet was the family of Adam and Hawa (Eve). Allah (SWT) says,

“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels; “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Will you place in there, one who will make mischief and shed blood in there? While we (indeed) celebrate Your Praises and glorify Your Holy (Name)? He said: “I do know what you do not know.” [Surah Al Baqarah: 30]

“O Humankind! Fear (and respect) your (Guardian) Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him, He (Allah) created his mate of similar nature, and from both (the two of them) spread (like seeds) countless men and women -And fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and revere (and respect) the wombs (that bore you): For Allah always watches over you.” [Surah An-Nisa: 1]

The point to be made here is, the beginning of human civilization on this planet started through a husband and wife. They were asked to follow the moral standards by Islam and if it is impossible to hold the family together, then divorce is allowed. Divorce over simple matters and little disputes is not allowed or recommended by Islam like it is happening in the west these days. Islamic family values are based on trust, wisdom, love and dependence on each other.

In Islam, the staying together of males and females as boy friend/girl-friend is totally haram.  The western society has terrible shaken and shattered the true meanings of family. The Islamic values provide a role model for the modern world for how a family should be like.

A Successful Family

Allah (SWT) warns the believers that if they do not follow his commands and Hadith, then there could be a disastrous result.

The Qur’an says,
“O you who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are (some that are) enemies to yourselves: So be aware of them! But if you forgive them and overlook, and cover up (their faults), Surely Allah is Often Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Surah Taghabun: 14]

Muslim family Concept. Islam prohibits family members to be enemies of each other. The Islamic family is successful if it is based on the principles of forgiveness, overlooking each other’s minor faults and asking Allah’s forgiveness for each other all the time.

Source: fiqh.org