CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE KIN OF ONE LIVER

“Jigar” (liver) is what we call our brothers and sisters. The function of the liver is to purify the blood; if the liver stops working, the body fills with poison. Jigar is a Persian word; in Uzbek it is called bag'ir. Pressing someone to one's bag'ir — to one's bosom — is a sign of closeness. The Kazakhs call their siblings bauyrym, which is exactly the Kazakh pronunciation of the word bag'ir. The liver is one of the most precious and important organs of the human body. They say the liver has the ability to restore itself, but when the liver falls ill, the pain is very severe, God forbid. For a person, brothers and sisters are like the liver too. If a person wants his life to be free of poison, he must care for his siblings. Love is sweet when it is mutual. Love from one side and cruelty from the other bring only suffering. If an older brother grieves for his younger brother, the younger brother, too, must care for his older brother. If an older sister wishes good for her younger sister, the younger sister, too, must wish her older sister well. If siblings are united and in harmony with one another, that family is the happiest family; if siblings are enemies to one another, that family is a wretched family. If siblings support one another, no sorrow remains for them in the world. If your friend and your dearest one are your brothers and sisters, that is the greatest happiness. How do siblings show their mutual affection and love? Siblings are confidants to one another and do not betray each other's secrets; they do not envy one another's successes; they do not remind one another of the kindnesses they have done; they point out one another's mistakes and shortcomings in a friendly way, sincerely and with heartfelt concern, and in this way they correct their character; siblings never leave one another alone — at any time, giving up all their affairs and gains, they stand together in difficulties and hardships. It is better if the word “debt” does not exist between siblings. If a person needs money or help, it is better if he does not turn to anyone other than his siblings. It is better if a person who has brothers asking someone else for help is considered a disgrace for his brothers. It is better if a woman who has sisters does not make other women her dear friends and confidants. In life we have seen brothers who cannot stand the sight of each other. We have seen sisters who pour hatred on each other. We have seen siblings who have broken away from one another. We have seen “siblings” who cannot laugh together and talk sincerely around one table, who after two words grab each other by the collar and quarrel. We have seen “siblings” lying in wait for each other's defeat and ruin. We have seen “siblings” who set aside their own kin and hold others dear and honored. We have seen “siblings” who value their kin only for their money and worldly goods. We have seen “siblings” who fell for their wives' intrigues, forgot their own kin, and became strangers to them. In order not to fall into these traps of life, every person is required to bring his worldview to a clear point. Who is my older brother? Who is my younger brother? Who is my paternal uncle? Who is my maternal uncle? Who is my nephew? Who is my older sister? Who is my younger sister? Who is my paternal aunt? Who is my maternal aunt? Who are my children?.. Then, having concluded that these kin are the closest and dearest people to me, one acts accordingly. My older brother is my support, my shade. My younger brother is the one I trust, my faithful one, my helper. My paternal uncle is a father in place of my father. My maternal uncle is a father in place of my father. My nephews and nieces are like my own children. My older and younger sisters are the honor entrusted to me; however much good I do them, it is worth it. My paternal and maternal aunts are like my mother… My children are my peers, my partners… Let siblings not deceive one another. Let siblings not envy one another. Let siblings not say harsh words to one another. Let siblings not leave one another alone. Let siblings take care of one another. Let siblings carry their own burdens and not throw their dead weight onto their kin. Let siblings always be ready to help one another. Let siblings forgive one another! Let them rejoice and worry for one another! Let them give one another the best help! Let them look into one another's hearts and try to understand!

Let siblings be responsible for one another's morals, faith and material well-being. Indeed, it is said in the divine Word that Moses, the one who spoke with Allah, peace be upon him, asked: “Make my brother a minister — a helper — for me!” The Master of the Two Worlds, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed for his helpers from Yathrib: “May God make your relatives helpers and partners for you!”

Akrom MALIK