Caring for orphans is a mercy
Caring for orphans is a grace (rahma) that Allah Almighty in the Koran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) defined as the highest degree of virtues and evidence of humanity and compassion.
The Almighty said, “And they ask you (O Muhammad!) about the orphans. Say, improvement for them is best. And if you mix your affairs with theirs - they are your brothers. And Allah knows the corrupter from the amender. And if Allah had willed, He could have put you in difficulty. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayat 220).
In this ayat the Almighty commands us to care for orphans and notes that this is very important, for an orphan needs compassion, sympathy, pity and care. An orphan who has suffered the loss of both or one of his parents needs the care of those around him.
Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gives us an example of how to show compassion for orphans, saying, “Whoever caresses the head of an orphan (in affection), solely for the sake of Allah, a good deed will be written to his account for every hair over which he passed his hand.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “The one who raises an orphan and I will be in Paradise like this,” and he held his two fingers together. (Narrated by Bukhari).
This hadith indicates the highest affinity with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of those who care for orphans. And all of us know the degree the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has before the Almighty. Imagine yourself to be close to the Lord of the people, through nothing but mercy for orphans.
Only people with a merciful heart can possess these highest qualities.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) commands us to show mercy in our deeds, and the highest level of this kind of mercy is to care for orphans, for it contains generosity, donation and concern.
Unfortunately, leaving our newborn children in maternity hospitals has become something commonplace in our society. The parents themselves helped these children to become orphans. However, there are many orphans whose parents died. Such children are favourites of the Almighty.
Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to take care of orphans, and he taught his companions to help, protect and treat them with kindness and mercy. And he reminded people about the reward for such concern towards orphans.
Having lost his parents in early childhood Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) showed through his own example who an orphan could become and how such children should be treated.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you can help at least one orphan – just do that! If you get an opportunity to help and support a home where orphans live – do that! The religion of Islam tells everyone who has any relations with orphans to take care of them. We must treat them kindly, as well as to educate and instruct them, trying to take the place of their fathers and mothers. If there is no way to help with money, try to give them love and kindness. And the Most High will reward you both in this world and the Hereafter.
The trouble of an orphan is not only and not so much that he may be hungry, but that he misses compassion and affection, which are often more important to him than a feeling of satiety. An orphan who has lost parents should not feel deprived and left behind. Relieving his emotional distress, one should show respect for him, and try to support him both morally and financially. This is our direct responsibility.
An orphan will never forget the one who treated him with mercy, nor will he forget the one who acted unfairly or offended him. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gave particular attention to the care of orphans.
Remember that relating to another person with kindness and mercy serves the cause of forgiveness of one’s sins. Allah Almighty loves his slaves and therefore calls upon them to perform the acts by which He forgives them.
RAMIL GALIEV
