Relatives are those who are related to you through blood and close-ties; such as the brother, the uncle, the aunt, or their children. Everyone who has a tie of relation with you has certain rights upon you, in accordance with how closely they are related to you. About this, Allaah - the Most High - said:
"And give to the relative his right." [Soorah al-Israa' 17:26]
Allaah - the most high - also said:
"And worship Allaah alone, and do not set-up any partner to Him in worship,
and be kind and good to the parents, and to the relatives." [Soorah an-Nisaa 4:36]
So it is obligatory upon everyone to treat their relatives in the best possible manner, and to support them in accordance with their needs, and what they seek of help and support. And this is what is necessitated by the Sharee'ah (Prescribed Islaamic law), the 'aql (sound reasoning) and the fitrah (natural state).
And there are many textual evidences encouraging and silatur-raheem (joining the ties of relations); such as what Aboo Hurayrah radiyallaahu 'anhu relates from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), that he said "Indeed Allaah created the creation, until he was finished doing so, the Rahm: (womb/ties of relation) stood-up and said: Is this the place of one who seeks refuge in you from those who severe and cut ties with me. So Allaah said: Yes, Indeed Would it please you that I keep ties with those who keep ties with you, and cut-off ties with those who cut-off lies with you? So the Rahm': said: Yes, indeed' So Allaah said: Then this is for you. Then Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Recite if you wish: "Would you then, if you were given the authority, cause corruption in the land, and cut-off lies of relations. They are those upon whom is the curse of Allaah, so that He makes them deaf and blinds them." [Soorah Muhammad 47:22-23] [2]
