Visiting relatives regularly — silat ar-rahim — brings great reward.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) placed great importance on visiting relatives and on family ties, and urged that these bonds never be broken. He advised that anyone wishing for their provision to increase or their life to be lengthened should maintain ties with their relatives. Such visits strengthen the bridges between generations.
What does the hadith say?
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ الْكِرْمَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حَسَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَهُ رِزْقُهُ أَوْ يُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ ".
Narrated Anas bin Malik:I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "whoever desires an expansion in his sustenance and age, should keep good relations with his Kith and kin
Text: Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 2067. Grade: sahih (hadiths in al-Bukhari and Muslim are accepted as sahih).
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- al-Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Revelation, 1 (hadith no. 3)
- at-Tirmidhi, Book of Righteousness and Kinship, 16 (hadith no. 1924)
- Muslim, Book of Righteousness and Kinship, 20 (hadith no. 6523); al-Bukhari, Book of Good Manners, 12 (hadith no. 5986)
How this page was prepared: sources and verification method.
More sunnahs in Family & Visiting
As a table with references: Family & Visiting sunnahs.
- Treating One's Spouse Well: Treating one's spouse well and putting love into words is a sunnah the Prophet valued.
- Loving Children: Loving children, showing them affection and giving them time reflects the warmth of the sunnah.
- Kindness to Parents: Being kind to one's mother and father is among the most virtuous deeds.