Three Tips to Strengthen your family
By Khurram Murad.

To deepen the love and to improve communication between members of your family - spouse, children, parents - your should aim to establish the following three activities in your home.

Firstly, perform some of your daily Salat collectively with your family. Prophet Mohammed said that, 'When you have finished your [Fard] Prayer in the mosque, you should offer the rest of your Prayer at home for God will bless your home because of your prayer.' (Muslim)

Secondly, establish an usra or family circle to study the Quran with your family. The Quran alludes to reading of the Quran in families and in home in the following verse:

And remember that which is recited in your houses of the Revelations of God and the Wisdom. [al-Ahzab 33: 34]

You should aim to hold these sessions at least twice weekly, if not more regularly. Remember that the first recipients of the message of the Quran were the members of the prophet Mohammed's household. They were the one he paid most attention to in the early phase of his mission in Makka. So, you also must ensure that you spend adequate 'quality' time in educating and training your family.

Thirdly, develop the habit of having meals with your family. This will also provide a golden opportunity to interact with everyone, discuss family matters and reflect upon issues of the day.

[compiled from "In the Early Hours" by Khurram Murad, pp. 116-117]