On 24 February, Sunday, the Islamic schools were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to adopt an orphanage and treat the kids there for the day. This was an event organised by the ISMSA (Muslim Students Association). Alhamdulillah, the day went well as the atmosphere was surrounded with Allah's Muhabbat and Rahma. The feelings that these children arouse in us, and the smiles they brought to our faces could not compare to anything.
Although the day was quite successful and humbling, there was just one thing that seriously made my blood boil. Throughout the 5 hours that we were there interacting with the kids, my friends and I noticed something quite disturbing- most of the students and guides who were there kept referring to the kids as 'orphans' to their faces. Statements such as "come take an orphan to play with" and "all the orphans come on this side" were being used right in front of these kids with no worry or hesitation.
At first, my friends and I just assumed that we were being paranoid about the whole situation, but however, our concerns were confirmed when we overheard the bigger girls from the orphanage discussing the issue and being totally raged by the cruel and harsh word being hauled at them
Where do we get this idea that we can mistreat the less-fortunate? Why do we feel that, because we are giving them our time and money, we are superior to them and we can show disrespect to their feelings? How would we feel if we were in the same situation and people kept reminding us of our misfortune by labelling us a "orphan"? Are these kids not human beings just like you and I? What would the Prophet (SAW) think of our appalling behaviour?
We all know that the Prophet (SAW), himself, was an orphan yet he was the best of mankind. People respected him, they loved him, they envied him, and most importantly, they referred to him and called him with utmost respect.
We should understand that injustice and oppression to the orphans brings severe punishment in this world as well as Hereafter. In the same way kind and gentle behaviour towards them earns countless rewards in this world, as well as the Hereafter. Especially blessed by Allah are those who protect the orphans and take the responsibility of being guardians to them. Numerous traditions have been recorded concerning this. A few of these are quoted below.
Hazrat Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (AS) says:
"One who maintains the orphans, Allah makes Paradise Wajib upon him, in the same way as he makes Hell Wajib upon those who usurp the property of the orphans."
The Holy Prophet (SAW) says:
"I and one who maintains an orphan would be together in Paradise in the presence of Allah, in the same way as these two fingers are together."
And he pointed out to his index and the middle finger joined together.
According to a tradition, The Holy Prophet (SAW) and one who maintains an orphan, will not be separated nor would there be any barrier between them in Paradise.
The Prophet (SAW) has also stated:
"If anyone from you becomes the guardian of an orphan and deals kindly with them, and he fulfils these actions satisfactorily, and he strokes the head of the orphan with sympathy, then Allah necessarily writes good deeds equivalent to the hair covered by his hand and forgives sins equal to the number of hair, and raises his position in grades equal to the hair of the orphan's head."
Elsewhere the Holy Prophet (SAW) has been reported to have said:
"When an orphan cries the Heaven shudders, then Almighty Allah says, 'O Angels, Is this the same orphan whose father has been buried in the earth?' The Angels reply, '(O Allah) You are the All-Knowing.'
Then Allah would say, 'O My Angel be a witness. Whoever consoles this orphan and makes him happy, I will make him happy on the day of Qiyamat.'"
All the hadith above emphasise the status of an orphan and how important it is to be kind to them and to look after them. We should refrain from being the cause of their pain or sadness.
Let's start from today, let's achieve our Jannah by being kind to and showing love and mercy towards an orphan.
ѕнιяα.ѕυ∂ι ♡♥
Thank you for this article. My blood boils at hearing the term orphan being used so freely without regard to how the person being called a orphan feels. Its a disability that doesn't need to be pointed out. Yes the Quran uses the term, but the Quran also says choose words that are best, and as muslims we should strive to do less harm & offence as possible. In 2015 calling any minor a orphan to their face or behind their back IS harmful and offensive.
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