Occasions for preference to blood relatives

Spend upon kindred for the love of God

"O MY SERVANT! The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Hidden Words from the Persian, no. 82)

Be good to all and gentle to the servants of God, especially those who are related to you

"If thou wishest to guide the souls, it is incumbent on thee to be firm, to be good and to be imbued with praiseworthy attributes and divine qualities under all circumstances. Be a sign of love, a manifestation of mercy, a fountain of tenderness, kind-hearted, good to all and gentle to the servants of God, and especially to those who bear relation to thee, both men and women. Bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people and confront them not save with kindness, with great love and good wishes."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, vol. 3, pp. 619-20

Guidance from previous Dispensations

Kindred by blood have prior rights in the Book of God

"And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,- they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of God."

(Qur'án, 8:75)

"According to the Book of God, they who are related by blood, are nearer the one to the other than other believers, and than those who have fled their country for the cause of God..."

(Qur'án, 33:6 (Rodwell numbering))

See also

• Inheritance (at least for intestate cases)
• Occasions for preference to Bahá'ís
• Respect or preference to the Manifestations of God
• Parent (to have special regard for)