In Islam, maintaining family bonds is a sacred duty. Family is not limited to parents and children, but also includes uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, grandparents, and in-laws. Each member has a duty to fulfill toward one another. The concept of the family as the nucleus of society is so important that it is nearly a Pillar of Faith. The Koran and Muhammad have both discussed family matters extensively, covering issues from smooth running of the household to distributing an inheritance.

