Ties that bind.

Byline: Amin Valliani

HUMAN life is all about relationships. The moment a child is born in the world he is connected to different types of relationships. He is connected to his mother, father and other immediate family members.

There exist many types of relationships. Our relationships with our parents and other family members are based on ties of blood. We have biological connections with them. Nobody can alter their status nor be selective in this matter. One has to accept these relationships as they are, without question.

However, there are other types of relationships where everyone is free to create and connect. This includes relationships with work colleagues, community members, friends, neighbours and other individuals. Society thus becomes a web of relationships. The more closely we are connected to these relationships, the happier and more satisfied we feel in life.

Some relationships act like a magnet attracting people to them, thus creating a more united, peaceful and cohesive society. Hence no society exists without relationships which, in fact, facilitate society. Nurturing, maintaining and strengthening relationships leads to peace as people become mutually supportive.

Relationships are much like the weather.

These relationships are important as far as the worldly life is concerned. Albeit in the Hereafter, regarding the Day of Judgement the Quran says 'That Day shall a man flee from his brother. And from his mother and his father. And from his wife and his children' (80:34-37).

For this material life, the Quran is very emphatic about maintaining all relationships. It says '...And do not forget Liberality between yourselves. For Allah sees well all that ye do,' (2:237). At another place it says 'So give what is due to kindred. ...' (30:38). Therefore, it is incumbent upon every believer to accord full respect and dignity to all these relationships.

However, constantly maintaining cordiality and warmth in these relationships is an uphill task because at times, they are volatile in nature. Like no rose is without a thorn, similarly no relationship exists without a challenge. Some major challenges in maintaining relationships come from the very fact that every person has a different source of income, a different lifestyle, a different level of understanding. Each person thinks according to his own perspective and weighs relationships keeping in view his own interest.

Sometimes an opulent lifestyle plays a detrimental role in...