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Friend cheated family

Question

I had some money problems with my family members. The family problems occurred because of my friend who cheated all of us by saying investment. My two brothers blamed me for their lost of money. I did explained to them honestly but they are not interested in it at all. My mother was very depressed because we, the three sons, were like enemies. I am only a average worker with 3 children earning to survive with some savings. I think I cannot pay them anything to make the family relations better. I even went to the extent to sell my house. Selling the house will not give me any profit but lost. I had no choice but I seek the help of a relative to make our family relations better. Our relations have been strained for the last five years. As I am the youngest. I "Salaam" and asked for forgiveness but it seems they are not accepting it. Last Eid ul-Fitr my mother who is staying with me was very sick. So the brothers came and we "Salaam" each other. My mum recovered and I thought our relations were better. But recently I realized they had not done it wholeheartedly with Ikhlas. They are still avoiding me. What should I do now? Few times I approached them to have better relations is unsuccessful. My worry is for my Mum who is old and I do not want to be blame for the strained relations. Please advise me as some of our relatives are gossiping about my family relations saying it is God's curse. Should I approached my brothers again or just leave it to Allah? I had good intentions as I am saving to go for Hajj and upgrade my family conditions like buying a bigger house, a car, etc. Can I carry on with my good intentions as I am afraid that my brothers will come after me for money claiming I must pay them as my friend cheated them. Please advise.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden, …} [35: 18].
You are not blamed for the cheating of your friend as long as you were not a conspirate with him and you did not hide the reality of your friend after knowing it. In this case, your brothers should accept your apology and should not blame you.
You should not cut off kin relations even if they do so. Keep good relations with them, be patient despite their bad treatment. If you do so Allah will help you and appoint a supporter for you. It is reported in a sound Hadith reported by Muslim that a man said to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam): 'O Allah's messenger! My relatives are such that I co-operate with them, but they cut off; I am kind to them but they ill-treat me; I forbear and they are rude to me. The beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "If you are as you say, you are feeding them with hot ashes; and so long as you continue as you are, Allah will help you and He will protect you against their mischief" .
Know that you have to prefer performing Hajj to purchasing a car or a house if you are able to bear the expenses of Hajj, if it is the obligatory Hajj. Know that the prevalent opinion is that Hajj should be performed as soon as a person becomes able to bear its expenses.
Allah knows best.

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