Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)
✿ عن البراء بن عازب رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الخالة بمنزلة الأم» [صحيح رواه البخاري 2699]
Translation: Al-Bara’ bin Azib (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The maternal aunt is like the mother.”
2. Kindness to Maternal Aunts as a Path to Repentance
✿ عن ابي عمر أن رجلا أتي النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال يارسول الله إنى أصبت ذنبا عظيما فهل لي من توبة قال هل لك من ام قال لا قال هل لك من خالة قال نعم قال فبرها.» [صحيح: رواه الترمذي 1904، وأحمد 4624، وابن حبان 435، والحاكم 155/4 .]
Translation: Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a grave sin. Is there any way for me to repent?” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, “Is your mother alive?” The man replied, “No.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked, “Do you have a maternal aunt?” The man said, “Yes.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then be kind to her.”
Chapter: Kindness to Maternal Aunts
Hadiths on the Importance of Treating Maternal Aunts Well
1. Maternal Aunt is Equivalent to the Mother✿ عن البراء بن عازب رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الخالة بمنزلة الأم» [صحيح رواه البخاري 2699]
Translation: Al-Bara’ bin Azib (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The maternal aunt is like the mother.”
2. Kindness to Maternal Aunts as a Path to Repentance
✿ عن ابي عمر أن رجلا أتي النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال يارسول الله إنى أصبت ذنبا عظيما فهل لي من توبة قال هل لك من ام قال لا قال هل لك من خالة قال نعم قال فبرها.» [صحيح: رواه الترمذي 1904، وأحمد 4624، وابن حبان 435، والحاكم 155/4 .]
Translation: Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a grave sin. Is there any way for me to repent?” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, “Is your mother alive?” The man replied, “No.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked, “Do you have a maternal aunt?” The man said, “Yes.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then be kind to her.”
Key Lessons from the Hadiths
- Elevated Status of the Maternal Aunt:
- The maternal aunt is given a status equivalent to that of the mother in Islam, emphasizing her importance in the family structure.
- Kindness as a Means of Repentance:
- Acts of kindness and care towards the maternal aunt are considered a means of expiating sins and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
- Family Bonds Foster Spiritual Growth:
- Upholding family relationships, particularly with relatives like the maternal aunt, is a demonstration of Islamic ethics and a path to achieving Allah’s pleasure.
- Comprehensive Guidance on Repentance:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) directed the man to a practical and relational act—caring for his maternal aunt—highlighting Islam’s focus on both spiritual and social obligations.