Honoring the Sacred Institution of the Family International Day of Families – May 15

May 14, 2025

On the International Day of Families, we take a moment to reflect on the central role of the family in nurturing individuals and preserving the moral and spiritual fabric of society. In Islam, the family is not merely a social unit—it is a sacred institution, divinely ordained and sustained by God’s mercy and wisdom.

The Quran beautifully describes the divine foundation of family and marriage. God states, “And of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought” (30:21).

The Quran also underscores the moral responsibility of believers to safeguard their families: “O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones” (66:6).

These verses emphasize not only the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the family, but also the shared duty of family members to protect, nurture, and uphold values grounded in faith and compassion.

The importance of family is further affirmed in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), who said,“The best of you are those who are best to their wives” (Al-Saduq, Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih, vol. 3, p. 443, hadith 4538).

Imam al-Sadiq (p) also emphasized the value of kindness within the home, “May God have mercy on the servant who is good in his relationship with his wife”(Al-Saduq, Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih, vol. 3, p. 443, hadith 4537).

Furthermore, Article 16, Paragraph 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.”
In Paragraph 1 of the same article, it is stated,”Men and women of full age… have the right to marry and to found a family.”

Yet today, the institution of the family faces growing challenges—sometimes in the name of individual freedom—from certain groups and entities that seek to weaken it for economic or ideological purposes. These efforts threaten the social cohesion and the physical and psychological well-being of future generations.

In such times, it is our collective responsibility—as families, educators, religious leaders, and policymakers—to strengthen and preserve the family. A healthy and resilient family is the natural environment for the development of individual potential, emotional security, and the transmission of values such as love, accountability, and faith.

On this day, let us renew our commitment to honoring and protecting the family as the cornerstone of a just, moral, and spiritually enriched society.