How to live Islam within a family (home)?

Strong family ties built on the teachings of Quran and Sunnah provide the necessary foundation for a happy and joyous household and in turn contribute to the overall health of a society.On the other hand, members of troubled families struggle to maintain calm within and watch helplessly as day to day troubles tarnish and strain their relationships, and as a result grapple with daily stress in their lives.

In extreme cases, this might result in corrupting the very foundations of societies at large. As family members, therefore, everyone has the obligation to take the necessary measures to strengthen these foundations.

Having a family is a blessing and its members must work to make family life at home peaceful and joyful. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Allah has made for you in your homes an abode …” [Surah al-Nahl:80]

A home is also a place of protection from the fitnah (corruption) of the outside world. The Prophet (S) said: “The safety of a man at times of fitnah is in his staying home.”

Islamic teachings based on the foundation of the Quran and the teachings of the prophet (s) provide us with those guidelines. To benefit from those guidelines, we ought to “live” Islam within our families. We do not become Muslims simply by being born into a Muslim family. Rather, Islamic character is formed from a combination of parental efforts, personal struggle, prayers and supplications.

The necessity to bring Islam within our families is underscored by Allah telling us in the Quran to protect ourselves and our family members from the fire. He says in the Quran,:

“O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” (Surah Tahrim:6)

Protecting one’s family from the fire refers to fostering a guiding environment for our families. The Prophet (S), too, stressed that we all actively help lead our families in the right direction. He (s) said: “Allah will ask every shepherd (or responsible person) about his flock (those for whom he was responsible), whether he took care of it or neglected it, until He asks a man about his household.”

We know that the walls of a home have little to do with the building of healthy dynamics within family members. That usually comes from living our lives according to the principles of Islam. So, how do we live Islam within our families and nurture a good home? This post reviews six principles that families can use to live Islam within their families. This in turn can help in building the foundations of a joyous family.

Make home a place for the family to worship Allah

Let us start with the basics. Allah clearly tells that He created us to worship Him. That involves following His commands in our daily lives as well as remembering Him through various Ibadat such as prayers, Quran recitation and so on. Within a family, we need to ensure following all that is needed to fulfill our minimum responsibilities of worshiping Him along with helping others to perform theirs. For example, Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) used to pray qiyaam at night, and at the time of witr he would wake her up to pray witr. (Reported by Muslim, Sharh al-Nawawi, 6/23).

The importance of family members frequently engaging in Allah’s worship at home is evident through other ahadith as well as the Quran. Allah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): “And We inspired Moosa and his brother (saying): ‘Take dwellings for your people in Egypt, and make your dwellings as places for your worship, and perform al-salaah, and give glad tidings to the believers.’” [Surah Yoonus:87]. In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Do not turn your houses into graves …” (Reported by Muslim, 1/539).

One of the signs of a home that is filled with Allah’s remembrance is for it to become lively at Tahajjud, Fajar, and other prayers. This habit alone can bring tremendous peace to one’s household. The importance of this habit is obvious from a hadith where the Prophet (S) said: “The likeness of a house in which Allah is remembered and the house in which Allah is not remembered is that of the living and the dead, respectively.” With regard to men, the Prophet (S) said: “The best prayer is a man’s prayer in his house – apart from the prescribed prayers (which should be in a masjid).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 731). With regard to women, the prophet (S) said: “The best prayer for women is [that offered] in the furthest (innermost) part of their houses.” (Reported by al-Tabaraani. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3311).

A home filled with the remembrance of the Lord will no doubt find an aura of peace and tranquility in its midst that it may not otherwise find possible.

Keep Satan out of the house

Allah has told us in the Quran that Satan is our enemy and we should do everything to keep Satan out of our lives. Satan hurts us by misguiding us toward evil deeds, making the bad look acceptable, bringing misfortune in our lives and families, and so on. The more we succeed in keeping Satan’s tactics and curses away from our lives and our homes, the fewer will be the fights, arguments, misunderstandings, etc., and the more will we enjoy Allah’s peace and blessings.

Both Allah and the prophet (s) have told us how to ward off Satan’s whispers and other evil tactics. For example, when entering a house, we should ensure that everyone welcomes the others at home by saying the Islamic greeting of “Assalamualaikum”. Muslim reported in his Saheeh that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “When any one of you enters his home and mentions the Name of Allah when he enters and when he eats, the Shaytaan says (about himself): ‘You have no place to stay and nothing to eat here.’ If he enters and does not mention the name of Allah when he enters, [the Shaytaan] says (to himself), ‘You have a place to stay.’ If he does not mention the name of Allah when he eats, [the Shaytaan says], ‘You have a place to stay and something to eat.’” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, al-Musnad, 3/346; Muslim, 3/1599).

Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “If a man goes out of his house and says, ‘Bismillaah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah (In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, there is no help and no strength except in Allah),’ it will be said to him, ‘This will take care of you, you are guided, you have what you need and you are protected.’ The Shaytaan will stay away from him, and another shaytaan will say to him, ‘What can you do with a man who is guided, provided for and protected?’” (Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi. Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 499)

Another tactic to keep Satan away from the house is for family members to recite Surah Al-Baqarah regularly. As this surah is long, family members can alternate in the recitation of the Surah. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Do not make your houses into graves. The Shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited.” (Reported by Muslim, 1/539). He (S) also said: “Allah wrote a document two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, which is kept near the Throne, and He revealed two aayaat of it with which He concluded Soorat al-Baqarah. If they are recited in a house for three consecutive nights, the Shaytaan will not approach it.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 4/274, and others. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1799).

Let respect, kindness and trust rule the affairs of the family

Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (S) said: ‘When Allah – may He be glorified – wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them.’” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 6/71; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 303).

Each individual has a unique identity and individuality that deserves to be respected. Giving time to listen to each other and helping solve problems in the light of Islam will make a household more conducive for productive problem solving. On the contrary, a home filled with frequent argumentation, disputes, and quarrels will only foster bad feelings and is something that stands counter to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah.

Let’s remember that the prophet (S) associated an argumentative and disputing attitude with misguidance. He said, “A nation never went astray after being guided except by means of disputation (Tirmidhi #3253 and ibn Majah #48 on the authority of Abu Umamah).” In this context, we should also exercise the use of our tongues with great care. The Prophet (S) said: “Blessed is the one who controls his tongue…”

Family members should also uphold each other’s trust and ensure that family matters stay private unless there is a specific need to share it with others. This especially pertains to spousal issues and matters. The prophet (S) said, “One of the most evil of people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who went in unto his wife and she went in unto him, then he (she) disclosed her (or his) secret.” (Reported by Muslim, 4/157). There are other ahadith that clearly and strictly warn the spouses (likening them to devils) when they let others in their very private matters.

Foster a culture of Islamic learning and knowledge

Fostering and nurturing a learning environment at home where family members share Islamic teachings regularly can help all members to become more knowledgeable about Islam, improving one’s life in turn. Let’s remind ourselves that the prophet (S) used to teach his wives / family and even servants quite regularly. Al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “We must teach our children and wives the religion and goodness, and whatever they need of good manners. If the Messenger of Allah (S) used to urge the teaching of female servants, who were slaves, what do you think about your children and wives, who are free?”

Discussing Islamic wisdom regularly can help us to stay informed and involved in ongoing self assessment. Most of us are usually preoccupied with issues related to our responsibilities, work, relationships and disappointments in life. While discussing these matters with our family members, we can relate them to how the prophet (S) and his companions resolved such matters. We should find opportunities to discuss such issues when everyone comes together as for instance during meal times.

Family members should also use the learning opportunities at home to learn and advise each other on matters of halal and haram. This can help us ward off Satanic whispers related to making haram appear as acceptable. Let’s remind ourselves that once we cross those lines and start characterizing the bad as acceptable, Satan further raises those limits and does not stop until he completely pushes us into the darkness of evil and shirk (polytheism).

Another way to foster a learning environment at home is for each family to instill the love of Islamic literature and books. So, beyond keeping a Quran and a book on hadith, the family should look to maintain literature on Quran interpretation and books of renowned Islamic scholars that can help family members get a deeper insight into the wisdom of the Quran and the Sunnah.

Make family decisions through mutual consultation

Involving the family in important matters before making a decision ensures closeness among the members. Allah says in the Quran,

“… and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation…” [Surah al-Shoora:38].

Mutual consultation allows for each member to have a sense of importance and responsibility. Besides, when trying to solve a problem, the more brains that are involved, the better the chances for a solution. Problems can be resolved with one-on-one conversations between parents and children, and other family members. Rather than venting frustrations and focusing on the problems, family members should find ways to engage in conversations where solutions are sought in an amicable manner. Venting frustrations, blaming each other, harsh tones, and demeaning each other not only does not solve problems but also sours relationships and closes all doors for future consultations and trust. Let’s remember the hadith of the prophet where he compared harshness with good behavior. He (s) said, “Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way that He does not reward for harshness or for anything else.” (Reported by Muslim, Kitaab al-Birr wa’l-Sillah wa’l-Aadaab, no. 2592).”

Understand and fulfill responsibilities toward other family members

Living with other family members also necessitates that each of us learns the rights of others. As Muslims, we should know the rights of our parents, children, spouses, siblings, and others. For example, Allah provides us clear instructions about kindness to parents. He (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) Has instructed us:

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor reprimand them but address them in terms of honor.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.” (Surah Bani Israeel: 23,24)

As we can see, the Quran is clear with regard to our duties to our parents. By fulfilling our responsibilities towards them we can also serve as a good example to our children in the practice of patience and kindness. Similarly, we should learn our responsibilities in dealing with our children. When parents recognize the child as an individual, address him and include him / her in discussions on general topics, a proper rapport is formed and the child finds it easier to obey them. Reminders could be given and situations that parents themselves were in could be discussed to help each other get and stay on the track of Islam. When parents make the mistake of considering themselves perfect (and their imperfections are quite obvious!) they lose their own credibility and the respect of their children as well.

This applies to other family members as well. Knowing the rights of other individual within the family can help us fulfill our responsibilities as prescribed to us by Islam and can help us live Islam within our families.

Conclusion

The Quran and Sunnah provide us ample guidelines on various aspects of living Islam within a family and one article is not enough to cover the above topics in detail. Examples include verses of Surah Al Muminun (23: 1-11), Surah Luqmaan (31:13-19) and others. When the elders and responsible parties of a household highlight the importance to live Islam within a family, and practice these virtues and manners, this inspires the children to learn as well.

Finally, let’s remind ourselves that to simply becoming knowledgeable about these issues doesn’t help unless we live by these practices. One of the Islamic scholars stated that if faith (eemaan) was simply knowing the facts in one’s heart, then that is similar to Satan’s situation because he was very knowledgeable about his Lord (rabb), yet his arrogance and pride led him to become argumentative and disobedient to Allah, and in the process became the worst of creatures.