AL-FARABI'S PHILOSOPHICAL DOCTRINE ON SINCERE RELATIONSHIPS AND AFFECTION AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS
Keywords:
Philosophy, Family Relationships, Sincere Bonds, Mutual Affection, Virtuous City, Household Management, Ethical Development, Social Harmony, Parent-Child Relationships, Marital Ethics, Islamic Ethics, Philosophical Psychology, Moral EducationAbstract
Abu Nasr Al-Farabi (870-950 CE), known as "The Second Teacher" in Islamic philosophy, developed a comprehensive philosophical system that extensively addressed family relationships and their moral foundations. This paper explores Al-Farabi's philosophical teachings concerning the sincere relationships and mutual affection among family members, analyzing their significance in his broader ethical and political framework. The research examines how Al-Farabi's concept of the family as a "miniature state" establishes the groundwork for understanding family bonds as fundamental to social harmony and individual perfection. It investigates his view that genuine relationships within the family are characterized by sincerity (sidq), compassion (rahma), mutual responsibility, and ethical conduct, which together form the bedrock of a virtuous society. The methodological approach combines textual analysis of Al-Farabi's primary works, particularly "The Virtuous City" (Al-Madina al-Fadila) and "The Attainment of Happiness" (Tahsil al-Saada), with comparative philosophical analysis. The findings reveal that Al-Farabi considered the family the primary institution for cultivating moral virtues and transmitting ethical values across generations. The discussion contextualizes Al-Farabi's teachings within contemporary family studies, demonstrating their continued relevance in understanding the psychological and moral dimensions of family relationships. The study concludes that Al-Farabi's philosophical insights provide a timeless framework for understanding how sincere family relationships contribute to human flourishing and social stability.
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