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What is the explanation of the hadith: "Whoever would like his provision to be expanded for him and his life span extended, let him maintain his ties of kinship," and what is the meaning of "his life span extended"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever wishes that his provision be expanded for him or that his lifespan be extended, let him maintain ties of kinship."

The most preponderant meaning of "(his lifespan be extended)" is a real increase in one's lifespan, such that one's appointed time is conditional. If he maintains ties of kinship, his life is extended. Maintaining ties of kinship is a legitimate cause for the expansion of provisions and the extension of life. Allah Almighty has made maintaining ties of kinship a cause for this. This does not contradict the fact that one's appointed time is predetermined, because Allah knows what the outcome will be. Life increases and decreases through causes, just as faith increases and decreases.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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