Wealth Doesn’t Remove Need for Relatives’ Support
In a series of sessions recently held, sociologist and religious researcher Emad Afroogh, who passed away last month, tried to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS).
In the 30th session, he cited Sermon 23 of Nahj al-Balagha and talked about Imam Ali’s (AS) views on the special position of family and relatives. Here is a summary of his remarks:
Our discussion today is about Sermon 23 of Nahj al-Balagha. There is a very beautiful remark from the Commander of the Faithful (AS) in this sermon that is also very notable in sociology of family. Today, we recognize this as a social fact and can theorize about it and provide theoretical explanations for it.
Imam (AS) says in this sermon: “O people! Surely no one (even though he may be rich) can do without his kinsmen, and their support by hands or tongues. They alone are his support from rear and can ward off from him his troubles, and they are the most kind to him when tribulations befall him. The good memory of a man that Allah retains among people is better than the property which others inherit from him.”
This has been proven in the Iranian society that family has a special position among people and serves as a strong source of support, which should be protected and safeguarded. The institution of family can be strengthened in both content and form.
Silat ar-Rahim (maintaining the ties of kinship) is one way to boost the family and in my view, it should be more a kind of support in content than form and should include real support and help instead of just verbal support and mere visits.
