THE TRIAL OF THE FAMILY

Outwardly, people may mention God and Islam, but their love is solely reserved for their immediate family. Their preoccupation revolves around their family’s well-being. They dedicate their time, wealth, and resources exclusively to them. Upon death, they will meet God empty-handed.

The Hadith literature contains numerous narrations that shed light on family dynamics. Two such narrations are shared below: “Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of God said, ‘Woe to the one who leaves his family in a good state and presents himself before his Lord in a bad state.’” (Musnad al-Shihab, Hadith No. 314)

The wording of the second narration is as follows: “A person will be brought on the Day of Judgment, and it will be said to him: ‘Your family consumed your good deeds.’” (Takhrij al-Ahadith al-Kashshaf by Zailai, Hadith No. 1357). This indicates that on the Day of Judgment, individuals will be confronted with the reality that their familial obligations consumed their righteous deeds.

In ancient times, this weakness was found only in a few individuals. However, in the present age, it has worsened to the point where it seems all-pervasive. The root cause of this weakness is an excessive attachment to one’s family. Outwardly, people may mention God and Islam, but their love is solely reserved for their immediate family. Their preoccupation revolves around their family’s well-being, and they dedicate their time, wealth, and resources exclusively to their kin. However, upon death, they will face a compulsory detachment. When they meet God, they will find themselves empty-handed. This deprivation is undoubtedly the most significant loss. As per the Hadith, it equates to sacrificing one’s hereafter to build the world of others. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 3966)

Moreover, even those family members who received everything from a person become so estranged after death that they never reunite.