Islam is a complete way of life, a lifestyle and a religion. It sets the rules and cleared the way people should interact between each other. “O mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware” Surah Al-Hujraat (13).
Islam considers the family to be the corner stone of Islamic society. It bases the atmosphere in the family on sacrifice, love, loyalty, and obedience. When we say “family” we mean the traditional definition of it namely husband, wife and children. Grandparents are also part of the extended Muslim family.
The Prophet of Islam p.b.u.h. said: “The best among you are those who are best to their families and I am the best of you to my family”. He once exclaimed: “it is only the evil one who abuses them (women) and the honored one is he who honors them”.
Quran refers to parents children relationships in many places. Before it asks children to be good and loyal to their parents it requires parents to be extremely careful in upbringing their children. In other words it asks parents to do their duty before asking for their rights. Parents responsibilities starts from choosing the right spouse, choosing good and proper names to their children, and then making sure they are raised up to become good and respected people.
Also children were urged to give respect, show mercy and be grateful to their parents, specially when they grow older and they are in need of someone to take care of them: “Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not “Fie” unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both as they did care for me when I was little. ” Surah Al-Israa’ (23-24)
The family in Islam is not restricted to immediate relatives of the nuclear family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, second cousins, and even neighbors form a complex web of relationships that are tied together through mutual rights and responsibilities.
Islam also calls for the upholding of the ties of kinship because of the great effect that this has on achieving social cohesion and perpetuating cooperation and love among the Muslims. Upholding the ties of kinship is a duty for each Muslim “O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you.” Surah An-Nisa
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever would like his rizq (provision) to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5986 and Muslim, 2557) Prophet Mohammad also said: “The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly upholding the ties of kinship. The one who truly upholds those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5645).
Apart from the family, Islam set the rules for different kinds of relationships such as friendship. Friendship is a significant part of the social system, not only from the Islamic perspective, but from the sociological perspective too.
Friendship has an important role in molding an individual’s mind, thinking, and attitude. In addition to these, friendship can also shape the extent of an individual’s spirituality and moral well-being; it follows therefore that the well-being of society as a whole depends on the wisdom with which each individual selects his friends.
From the Islamic point of view, if friendship is based on love of God and commitment to the faith, then it will be blessed; Prophet Muhammad said, “Allah said ‘My Love is due to those who love one another for my sake (not only to benefit from one another), who sit with one another for my sake, who visit one another for my sake, and who spend on one another for my sake’” (Muwatta’ Malik).
Relationships in Islam extend to people around us, neighbors, co-workers, people we meet randomly everyday. Muslims are encouraged to treat people and show love and peace in every possible situation, even the smallest simplest acts could have a great effect on the society “Smiling for you fellow brother is a charity” Prophet Mohammad said. (Al Bukhari). In some situation an individual is not considered a true believer if they did not wish good for each other. The Prophet PBUH said, ” None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself .” (Al Bukhari).
Also Prophet Mohammad, urges kind and considerate treatment towards our neighbours. They deserve our respect and good treatment regardless of their religion, race or colour.The men and women around Prophet Muhammad were constantly reminded of their obligations to God and to one another. Islam engourages Muslims to be kind to their neighbours, to protect them, help them, be kind to them and not to spy on them.
Allah, the Exalted, says:“Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” (Surah An-Nisaa’ 36)
Even in public and when meeting others, Muslims were warned not to start private one-to-one conversations in the presence of a third person, for that might make that person suspicious or sad. Also talking badly about other people when they are not present (Gheiba) even when they are present is strictly prohibited in Islam “O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful”. (Surah Al-Hujraat 12)
Muslims are also urged to speak well to each other, and be respectful while speaking to people “O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers”. (Surah Al-Hujraat 11).
Islam as a religion and a lifestyle, described all the details about all the aspects of life, from how a Muslim should treat his own family, parents and siblings and extended family, to how Muslims should be respectful to people around them be it neighbors or people at work or even people met randomly at meetings or in the streets.