Kulayb ibn Manfa'a reported that his grandfather asked, "Messenger of
Allah, towards whom should I be dutiful?" He replied, "Your mother, your
father, your sister and your brother. Then your mawla (client) has the next
right against you and then your relatives who are connected."
Abu Hurayra said, "When the following ayat was revealed ('Warn
your near relatives' (26:214)), the Prophet, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, stood up and called out, saying, 'Banu Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy!
Save yourselves from the Fire! Banu 'Abdu Manaf! Save yourselves from the
Fire! Banu Hashim! Save yourselves from the Fire! Banu 'Abdu'l-Muttalib!
Save yourselves from the Fire! Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! Save yourselves
from the Fire! I do not have anything for you in respect to Allah except
for the fact that you have ties of kinship.'"
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari told him that a bedouin came to the Prophet, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was travelling. He asked, "Tell
me what will bring me near to the Garden and keep me far from the Fire."
He replied, "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, perform
the prayer, pay zakat, and maintain ties of kinship."
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty created creation. When He had
finished it, ties of kinship rose up. Allah said, 'Stop!' They said, 'This
is the place for anyone seeking refuge with You from being cut off' Allah
said, 'Are you not content that I should maintain connections with the one
who maintains connection with you and I should cut off the one who cuts you
off?' It replied, 'Yes indeed, my Lord.' He said, 'You have that.'"
