“Al-Rahim”: It is pronounced with a kasrah (short vowel) on the letter “ha” and with a sukun (no vowel) on the second “ha”: “al-rahim” and “al-rahm.” This is the characteristic of tri-literal words with a medial (in-between) throat sound, such as “al-lahm” (meat) and “al-dab” (custom), among others. “Al-rahim” with the kasrah and sukun refers to the organ that carries the fetus in a woman’s womb. “Al-rahim” also signifies kinship or factors of kinship, like unclehood and affinity. All relatives collectively and individually are referred to as “al-rahim,” whether male or female.
In terms of its linguistic aspect, the term ‘rahm’ is grammatically feminine. However, it can refer to both genders, so we can say, “This is rahm (kinship) for a male and this is rahm for a female.” The femininity becomes evident in the plural form, so we say, “These are arham (plural of rahm),” but we don’t say, “This is arham.”
– This is supported by what is mentioned in the Sunnah:
Narrated by Abdul Rahman ibn Auf: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saying: “Allah said, ‘I am Allah, and I am Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful). I have created the Rahm and derived a name for it from My Name. So, whoever maintains it, I shall maintain ties with him, and whoever cuts it off, I shall cut him off.'” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, and he said it is a sound Hadith, and likewise Al-Hakim.)
The reason for attributing it to the feminine gender is that relatives are connected through one womb, meaning one Rahm.
– Regarding the obligation of maintaining family ties, it is not solely dependent on linguistic structure, even though its essence is derived from it. Rather, everyone is commanded to maintain family ties, but with varying degrees. Brothers are commanded to maintain ties with sisters, and vice versa, except that there is more emphasis on ties among males because they typically inherit more than females. Their authority and means are also more secure, as they are not subject to the control of another man, as is the case with married daughters.
As for fathers’ brothers, there is even more emphasis on maintaining family ties compared to mothers’ brothers, as they are closely related to a person and inherit from each other in general. However, maintaining family ties is also recommended (though with less emphasis) in the case of mothers’ brothers and other relatives.
The obligation to maintain family ties is emphasized in relation to both immediate family members (roots) and extended family members (branches). It is strongly recommended to maintain ties with more distant relatives as well.
And Allah knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr