Blood relations, like a brother, parental or maternal uncle, cousins and all your kindred have the right to kinship each in accordance with his or her nearness;

Allah Almighty says:

"And give to the kindred his due." (17:26)

and:

"Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kins-folk..." (4:36)

Relatives have got to maintain good ties and extend physical and financial support in accordance with the relative exigencies and nearness of kinship it is an injunction dictated by canonical laws, reason and human nature.

Qura'nic and Prophetic texts emphasize in the Islamic literature, the necessity to cement kindred ties and maintain them abound. Abu Huraira relates that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon Him) said:

"After Allah had created all the creatures, the womb (the blood relation) stood up and submitted: "Is this the place of the person who seeks Your protection against severance of blood relation" Allah said: "Yes, would thee be content that I should be kind to him who regards thee, and should cut off from him who cuts thee off" The womb said: "I am content." Allah said: "Then it is yours." The Noble Prophet then said: "recite if you like the verse:

"Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship" Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight." (47:22,23)

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon Him) said:

"Whosoever reposes faith in Allah and the Hereafter should maintain good relation with his kindred." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Unfortunately, a lot of people have neglected this right and no longer discharge their obligations, material, social or moral towards their kin. Days and long months could elapse without even paying one's relations a visit or gaining their favor with a present. He would not even try to satisfy a certain need or ward off a misfortune that happens to befall them. On the contrary, he might do them harm with his deeds or words or even with both.

Some people behave differently. They will maintain good ties as long as their kindred do the same, but otherwise they sever them. Real cherishing of blood relation is not observed in anticipation of equal reaction on the part of one's kin; but the ties should be maintained for Allah's sake only, may be this is done from one side only neglecting the behavior of the other side in its return. Abdullah bin "Amr bin Al-As narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon Him) said:

"A person who reciprocates in doing good is not the one who joins his blood relations generously; but he is one who joins with his blood relations when they sever the kindred ties." (Bukhari)

"A man said to the Noble Prophet (peace be upon Him) :

"O Messenger of Allah, my relatives are such that I cooperate with them, but they cut off; I am kind to them but they ill-treat me; I forbear but they are rude to me." The Noble Prophet (peace be upon Him) said: "If you are as you say, you are then feeding them with hot ash; and so long as you continue as you are, Allah will always help you and He will protect you against their mischief." (Muslim)

Maintenance of good ties with one's kindred is bound to entail Allah's mercy, affluence and deliverance from distress; besides the amity attachment, and spirit of cooperation that will envelop the whole atmosphere of the family in both adversity and prosperity. And when the relation ties are cut off, all these benefits take an opposite turn and the near relatives begin to detach themselves away.