Relationships are central to the existence of every human being. Allah (SWT) has enjoined some relationships as purely natural, such as those between parents, children, and other immediate and extended family members. Other relationships are based on solemn contracts, such as a marriage. Through a marriage contract, a man and a woman who are ordinarily impermissible to each other become permissible to each other. Some relationships are based on familiarity and social ties at the community level. Other relationships are based on business contracts. All of these relationships are based on the fulfillment of rights and responsibilities.
To love Allah(SWT), to know Allah(SWT), and to want to please Allah (SWT) in our daily lives, we must have functional and healthy relationships with our parents, siblings, friends, and community members.
Thus,it is an unfortunate existence, and indeed a miserable existence, for the one whose personal whims and desires end up placing himself or herself at the center of any relationship.Our goal should be to please Allah(SWT) through establishing functional and healthy relationships with our family, friends, and community members. Ultimately, we can only achieve true success when Allah (SWT)is at the heart of all of our relationships. As a remembrance to all mankind,Allah says:
"O mankind, be conscious of your duty to Allah(SWT), Who created you from a single soul and from him He created his mate, and from them both, He created many men and women; and fear Allah(SWT) through Whom you demand your (mutual rights) and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs; surely Allah(SWT) is ever an All-watcher over you.(An-Nisaa' 4:1)"