The eminent Muslim scholar and renowned Da`iyah, Sheikh `Abdel Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef, states: “Certainly Islam supports the extended family pattern. This is why we find many provisions in the Qur’an and in the Sunnah urging Muslims to take care of their kinship relations (Silat A-Rahim).
In Islam, the nuclear family is the smallest and most basic unit of the Society. A Muslim has duties towards its members. After that there is a wider circle, that is, the extended family. The Muslim has to care for and be kind to his kin.
Allah Almighty says: “And give to the kindred his due.” (Al-Isra’: 26)
the Prophet (peace be blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should maintain good relation with his kindred.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
there is still a wider circle, that is, the Muslim’s neighbors. The Prophet said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbor.” (Muslim)
“Gabriel impressed upon me (kind treatment) towards the neighbor (so much) that I thought as if he would confer upon him the (right) of inheritance.” (Muslim)
A Muslim has also duties towards his fellow Muslims, who make up the Muslim Ummah:
allah says : “The believers are naught else than brothers” (Al-Hujurat 49: 10)
the Prophet said: “The right of the Muslim on the Muslim are six.” It was said, “What are they, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “When you meet him, salute him; when he invites you, respond to him; when he seeks counsel, give him advice; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: Allah has mercy on you; when he is sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral.” (Muslim)
Of course, this is a wider circle but it is not the end. A Muslim is commanded to be dutiful to the humanity at large and to wish good to the whole humankind:
Allah says: “Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice. Allah only forbids you respecting those who made war upon you on account of (your) religion, and drove you forth from your homes and backed up (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends (and ally) with them, and whoever makes friends with them, these are wrong-doers.” (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8–9)
All in all, a Muslim is commanded to be kind first to his/her mother, and then to his/her father. Allah says:
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents.” (Al-Israa’ 17:23-24)
After that comes the Muslim’s duties to his/her wife and children, kinship, neighbours, fellow Muslims, and all humans.”