Fatiha Nadeem, Bradford
As a sociology student I know from analysing past and present structures of families, it could be argued that in modern life, family connections often become fractured. Nowadays, the demands of work, education and social commitments leave very little time for meaningful interactions, leading to emotional distance between loved ones (BMC Public Health 2025) [1]. As a Muslim, I know that Islam is a universal religion, which teaches that divine guidance has been provided and is relevant to all individuals throughout history; as such, Islam would not place immense emphasis on the family unit and offer guidance on how to nurture and sustain strong bonds, if there was no point.
Islam views the family as the foundation of society. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly highlights the importance of maintaining family ties (4:37) [2], treating parents with kindness (17:24-25) [3] and fulfilling responsibilities towards relatives. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) exemplified the ideal family life, demonstrating love, patience, and respect in his relationships.
The Holy Qur’an states:
“Surely, men who submit themselves to God and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him — Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward.” (Holy Qur’an, 33:36)
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be His Helper), the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, speaks often on the importance of family and counsels that fulfilling the rights of one another within the family is essential for a peaceful and successful life. In a Nikah (Islamic marriage announcement) sermon, His Holiness stated:
“At the time of marriage, Allah the Almighty has commanded both the bride, bridegroom, and both families to fulfil the due rights of one another, especially those which Allah the Almighty has appointed and established for them.” [4]
Thus, if families are able to follow these guiding principles, then the true family life can be constructed in which everyone enjoys peace and spirituality.
Whilst Islamic teachings provide a strong foundation for family life, it’s important to consider the practical steps necessary to implementing these values in today’s fast-paced world:
Firstly, prioritising family time is key: if we can set aside dedicated time for socialising and education, what is stopping us from doing the same for interacting with our family members, whether through shared meals, outings (my personal favourite!), or simple conversations.
Secondly, and perhaps the hardest nowadays, is practising kindness and patience. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), constantly emphasised treating others with love and patience. Once, after the Battle of Khaibar, he was given poisoned meat by a woman seeking revenge; despite the danger, he still forgave her, showing his commitment to mercy and understanding. This incident should remind us to ask ourselves – are we as ready to forgive and show mercy to individuals and especially family members, as depicted beautifully by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?
Lastly, engaging in collective worship – once again, quite difficult, especially if everyone has different schedules and commitments during the day. Yet, in spite of that, we must remember that praying together strengthens spiritual bonds and reminds family members of their shared faith. And, even if we live far from each other, there is nothing stopping us from praying for our dearest family members.
Therefore, today on International Family Day, let us reflect on the significance of family to us all, and strive to implement the Islamic teachings which are applicable to everyone in our daily lives. By prioritising family relationships through following the guidance of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), I pray we can create a nurturing environment within our families where love, respect, and faith are all able to flourish.
References:
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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