The Role of Religious Values in Family Cohesion

Abstract

The family constitutes the cornerstone of social construction and the primary source of psychological and emotional stability. With the rapid social, cultural, and economic transformations in contemporary societies, families face increasing challenges that threaten their value systems and internal unity. In this context, religious values serve as a fundamental foundation that preserves family balance and organizes relationships among its members based on mercy, affection, justice, and responsibility. This paper aims to clarify the role of religious values in achieving family cohesion through a theoretical analysis of the concepts of values, family, and cohesion, while highlighting the integrative relationship between religious values and the structure of the Muslim family. It also discusses the challenges facing religious values in today’s world and proposes practical recommendations to strengthen them. The paper adopts a descriptive and analytical approach, relying on Islamic texts and recent sociological studies. The findings indicate that religious values form the moral and normative framework that maintains family unity and stability, while the weakening of these values leads to disintegration and a decline in overall social cohesion.