Kindness and love are key to family harmony

Affection and mercy are the foundation for a harmonious family and the key to happy marriage, the sermon will tell worshippers today.

Those elements are a blessing that Allah has bestowed upon his servants. They are also among His signs, for Allah says, “and of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Ar-Room: 21).

So one of the signs of the perfection of Allah’s favours upon mankind is that he placed love and mercy between husband and wife.

The sermon will explain that affection means love and mercy means kindness and leniency. With these two qualities families can cherish a stable and harmonious life.

Mosque-goers will be told that a father should show leniency and care towards his family as well as discharge his responsibilities towards them by working hard to earn their sustenance and follow up on their well-being.

He should also set a good example for them in words and in deeds.

Family – as a key element of society – has been given great care in Islam. Islam has urged for behaviours that are conducive to promoting love and clemency amongst spouses, with the aim being to strengthen family stability and ensure the sustainability of its happiness.

Prophet Mohammed said in this regard, “When Allah wants good [to befall] the members of a household, He will guide them to the way of gentleness [in dealing with each other].”

This Hadith calls for gentleness as usual treatment. In it, there is an indication to the importance of maintaining happiness, mutual respect and appreciation.

The relationship between husband and wife should be based on co-operation, sympathy, love, harmony, co-ordination and share of responsibilities, the sermon will say.

Both are partners in preserving the family and raising children and thus they should respect one another and show sincere love and clemency to each other.

A coherent and harmonious family will produce a coherent society with members who are strong-bonded with marriage. Allah says, “and it is He who has created from water a human being and made him [a relative by] lineage and marriage. And ever is your Lord competent [concerning creation].” (Al-Furqan: 54).