”Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious” Al NIsa’a : 36 (translation from http://www.harunyahya.com/Quran_translation/Quran_translation4.php)
Muslims are encouraged to do good to parents and kinsfolks. In Quran that was linked to believing and submission to Allah.
Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: “He who likes that his sustenance should be expanded and his age may be lengthened should join the tie of kinship.” (translation from http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php)
In different occasions, Muslims were invited to keep good relations with relatives, kinsfolks and even neighbors. A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “The tie of kinship is suspended to the Throne of Allah almighty and says: He who unites me Allah would unite him and he who severed me Allah would sever him. (translation from http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php)
Al Mahayni family is one of the largest families in Damascus – Syria. Tribes and branches of the family are spread across other countries such as Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia. The family prides a history of good welling of all family members towards each others, family gatherings been held for more than 100 years back till this day.
During the Ottoman Empire, this family had the honor of a great job; protecting the pilgrims, who were leaving Damascus to Mecca and back. To appreciate their efforts the sultan honored them. So now, every male member of my family is called: Agha, and every female: Khanom.
In 1932, in a family regular gathering, it was decided to have an official family board whom among their duties was to organize the family gatherings in order to strengthen the family bonds and to discuss and look after members of the family who are in need.
Salim reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A Muslim is the brother of a fellow-Muslim. He should neither commit oppression upon him nor ruin him, and he who meets the need of a brother, Allah would meet his needs, and he who relieved a Muslim from hardship Allah would relieve him from the hardships to which he would be put on the Day of Resurrection, and he who did not expose (the follies of a Muslim) Allah would conceal his follies on the Day of Resurrection. (translation from http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php)
Al Mahayni family board formed a list of family members who are in need, and those people are all looked after, the sick people are helped to get treatment or surgeries if needed. The family board also issued a family account, where family members can support with as much amounts as they can afford, those amounts are used in different charity – family related projects, such as buying houses to those in need, medicals, educations and other activities. There’s even a payroll for orphan poor families.
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah’s Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day.” (translation from http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php)
In Ramadan, the family board makes sure to provide poor family members with enough hoard of essentials for the whole month. In Eid, kids are given a certain amount of money to celebrate Eid their own way.
Abu Rabi’ reported directly from Allah’s Apostle (may peace upon him) as saying: The one who visits the sick is in fact like one who is in the fruit garden of Paradise so long as he does not return. (translation from http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php)
Sick family members who are under treatment gets their dependents to be looked after until they are cured. A father from Al Mahayni family lost his job because of an injury, the family board bought a car, and gave it to him to work as a taxi driver.
The family were always keen to hold close relationship with all family members, a youth board member was also recently established for youngsters to gather and meet and discuss their own activities.
Some of the achievements of the family board are:
– Regular visits to sick family members
– An online family website and forum
– A monthly payroll for the poor family members
– Supporting family members in need in their education
– A dedicated house for the board to weekly meet
– A family public library, kept in the meeting house
– Helping young family members with their marriage expenses