Q 2: My husband's parents are used to coming to Saudi Arabia and staying with us for three months. My husband provides for them during this period. However, they (Part No. 25; Page No. 216) ask him to bring strange requests for his sisters although they are all married, commit Tabarruj (women dressing immodestly in violation of the Islamic dress code), and do not even observe Salah (Prayer). If he refrains from bringing them their requests, his parents get upset and he does not want to disobey them so that they would not be displeased with him. At the same time, he does not want to spend his money except on practicing Muslims who supplicate to their Lord. Please advise!

A: Allah (Glorified be He) encourages people to maintain the ties of kinship. He says, ...and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). He warned against severing these ties, by saying, Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever wants to be granted more wealth and long life should maintain the ties of kinship. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Al-Nasa'y). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, Allah (Exalted be He) said: I am Al-Rahman (the Most Gracious). I have created Al-Rahim (the ties of kinship) and made its name derived from one of My Names. Whoever keeps good relations with it, I will keep good relations with them, and whoever severs their relations with it, I will sever the relation with them. (Related by Imam (Part No. 25; Page No. 217) Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, and Al-Hakim.) There are other authentic texts, all encouraging people to maintain the ties of kinship. Your husband's deeds are classified under honorable manners for which he should be praised and hopefully rewarded by Allah. However, he should accompany this generosity with advising them to carry out Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) which they have neglected and prohibiting them from committing Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), such as Tabarruj and the like. By doing this, he is providing them with financial and religious benefits. May Allah guide them to the Straight Path and grant them success!May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.