I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet (S.A.W)

All praise is for Allah. We praise him and seek his help and his forgiveness and we believe in Him and rely on Him. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of ourselves and the vices of our deeds. There is no one to misguide whom Allah guides and there is no one to guide whom Allah lets go astray ( refuses to follow the divine guidance ). I bear witness that there is not God but Allah alone. He ( the most high ) has no partner. I bear witness that our authority, our prophet and our master ( beloved ) Muhammad is His servant and His messenger. May Allah have mercy on Him ( SAW ), His household and His companions and bless them in great abundance.

A True Muslim is one who obeys the commandments of Allah the most High and the teaching of Sayyiduna RasulAllah (Sall Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) in his family. Allah has said in Sura AN NISA: "O mankind be dutiful to your Lord, who created you from a single person (Adam, peace be upon him) and from him He (St)) created his wife (mother of all mankind) and from them both He (St) created many men and women and fear Allah through whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut the relations of the wombs ( family values or kinship). Surely Allah is ever a watcher over you. (4_1)"

Allah has declared all human beings as one single family of Sayyiduna Adam ( Alaihissalam) and in one of Hadith (saying of Allah's Prophet - SAW ) it is mentioned that the entire creation of Allah is the family of Allah and best of is one who is the most beneficial to this entire family.

In most of the mosques in Muslim and non-Muslim countries the Imams (Muslim religious leaders) end their sermon by the verse of Holy Quran in which Allah said; "verily Allah enjoins justice and IHSAN (Being dutiful to Allah with patience and sincerity) and giving help (or being good) to kith and kin and (Allah) forbids all evil deeds and Al-mun-kar (forbidden beliefs and deeds) and all kinds of oppression, he (the most High) admonishes you that you may take heed (Sura 16 V no 90)"

If we ponder over this verse of the Holy Quran, which is recited to the believers in almost all the mosques every week as reminder that a true Muslim is, one who practices Islam by being just and kind to the entire world starting from his kith and kin. The last words of the verse teach us that one who does not practice justice and kindness in the society does not accept the admonishing of Allah (the most High).

Well arranged marriage is the foundation of family values.

Husband and wife are the main pillars of our families if they themselves fulfil their duties of Justice and kindness Allah blesses the family with peace love and harmony. Both man and woman must choose their life companion (husband or wife) one who is righteous and a pious person.

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Sallal Allahu alihiwasallam) said:" A woman may be married for four qualities : for her property, her rank, her beauty and her Deen ( righteousness ) . So marry the righteous one and prosper ( Agreed upon by Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). We are taught by the Prophet of Allah to choose the pious and righteous woman because she will be the most important teacher for children. She is the first teacher who leads the children the way she wants right or wrong. There must be unity, love and harmony between husband and wife to build the values in the family. It is narrated by Abu Hurairah R.A. when the prophet (Sul lal Allah hu alaihi wasallam) congratulated a man on his marriage he (SAW) would say "Allah bless you, grant you blessing and prosper your union (narrated by Ahmed AT-tirmizi and Ibn Huzaimah)

Parents are Role Models for children

It is in the very nature of human being to follow the company they keep. The role of Muslim parents gives importance to family values and makes children to practice the same in their life also.

Family ties in the Holy Quran

"And show kindness to parents , to relatives, to orphans and the needy and speak fair to people" ( 2- 83 )

"whatever you spend out of (your ) wealth I charity and the most disserving ones are your parents and relatives and orphans and needy and the wayfarers" ( 2-215)

"And the blood relations are nearer to one another 9 in inheritance)" ( 2 - 75 )

Prayers for our families

(The true believers are those) who keep praying "O our Lord grant us in our wives and offspring the coolness of eyes and make us a leader of those who guard themselves against evil" ( 25-74 )

To be Continued next week …