Across cultures and continents, the concept of family is universally recognized as a cornerstone of the human experience. In a world characterised by constant change, where technology evolves at an unprecedented pace and societal norms shift frequently, family is an anchor providing stability and balance, keeping one grounded amidst the tempests of modern life.
The global Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community holds a heartfelt reverence for family, a value ingrained in its spiritual and cultural identity. The intergenerational bonds within families, in particular, are considered essential for instilling values and shaping personal identity, allowing individuals to stay connected with their roots and sense of self. In this article, we reflect on the pivotal role that family holds in upholding spiritual, mental, and social well-being.
Islamic teachings emphasise the sanctity of family relationships; Quranic verses highlight the importance of maintaining kinship ties and treating relatives with respect and compassion.
Silat al-rahm, or maintaining connections with family and loved ones, is a key concept in Islam, encompassing both spiritual and worldly benefits; the Prophet Mohammed ﵆ stated that silat al-rahm prolongs one’s life. This concept entails vitalising family ties through reciprocal acts of kindness, support, and regular communication—emphasising its immense effect on one’s health and well-being, to the extent of increasing longevity. Severing family ties, on the other hand, is strongly discouraged and associated with negative consequences on one’s personal and social well-being.
The Prophet’s ﵆ interactions with his own family, including his marriage to Sayyida Khadija, who was a pillar of strength and solace during the difficulties of the early period of Islam, and his love for his children, especially his grandsons, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain, are enduring examples of family unity and devotion.
Preserving Tradition and Nurturing Growth
The Dawoodi Bohra community embodies a philosophy of ‘preserving the old and embracing the new’, emphasising the importance of both traditional wisdom and contemporary progress. Just as a building requires a solid foundation and regular renovations to remain strong, families benefit from the wisdom of elders and the energy of youth. Elders play a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual and worldly perspectives of children, setting a foundation for their future growth.
Bridging the gap of generational divides, the Prophet Mohammed ﵆ emphasised maintaining close connections with elders: “Barakat (blessings) reside with your elders.” Elders, who offer wisdom and stability, are crucial to the family’s harmony, while younger members, as they grow, gain the opportunity to provide support for their elders, especially aged parents. This dynamic ensures that both generations feel valued and connected, cultivating a cycle of care and respect.
Dawoodi Bohras regularly recite the Quranic supplication which prays to the Almighty to bestow mercy on one’s parents, ‘just as they brought me up when I was small'.
Gratitude for their parents’ upbringing, and an understanding of the veneration they deserve, form the basis of community members’ efforts to support and care for their elderly parents. Dawoodi Bohras regularly recite the Quranic supplication which prays to the Almighty to bestow mercy on one’s parents, ‘just as they brought me up when I was small’.
Staying Connected
For Dawoodi Bohras, family contributes to a strong sense of identity and purpose, reinforcing the connection to their heritage and maintaining a clear sense of self amidst the complexities of contemporary life. In addition, family often provides a spiritual and moral compass for navigating today’s world; values such as integrity and compassion guide personal and professional decisions.
Research also shows that supportive family relationships positively impact mental, emotional, and physical health, in addition to economic stability and overall well-being, explaining why cultures around the world value spending time with family.
Strong family connections result in positive mental health outcomes such as lower stress levels and decreased rates of depression. In addition, supportive families contribute to better cognitive development and academic success in children, as well as improved emotional regulation and social skills—and a lower likelihood of engaging in harmful behaviours.
Physical health has also been connected to family support and care; individuals with close family relationships have increased longevity. Conversely, social isolation, especially in older adults, is associated with significant health risks. Participants in a study were found to be 77% more likely to have a higher risk of death if they lived alone and were never visited by loved ones—illustrating how the presence of a supportive family can contribute to a longer and healthier life, as the Prophet Mohammed ﵆ indicated over a millennium ago.
The Dawoodi Bohras, therefore, highly value the importance of family at all stages of an individual’s life, from childhood to old age. For instance, students and adolescents pursuing higher education and career opportunities are encouraged to prioritise staying connected with family, especially parents and elder relatives. In a world where many young adults have often been bereft of the support of family, this support system not only reinforces ethical and cultural values, but also helps ensure emotional and mental well-being while achieving academic and professional success. Recognising its emotional and socioeconomic benefits, however, more young adults are living with their families today than in the past—57% of 18- to 24-year-olds in the US now live with their parents, one of the highest percentages of the last century.
Essentially, nearly every milestone of a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim’s life centres around family; traditions and customs marking these life events ensure that the family stays closely knit. At the birth of a child, the paternal aunt undertakes the naming ceremony. New mothers are also nurtured and supported by their parents and relatives, often in their mothers’ homes, which benefits maternal and infant well-being. At weddings, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts each have a specific function to perform as a part of the celebratory rituals. Even after one departs this world, their family members must be offered taziyat, or condolences, and they join together to offer prayers and host meals in memory of the departed.
Through shared celebrations and tribulations, social gatherings, and mutual support, Dawoodi Bohra families strive to strengthen their bonds and foster a sense of unity and belonging, nurturing individual and collective happiness and well-being.
