Charity to Orphans
Since 2012-11-25
"You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, as resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness and fever with it.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the All-Provider without limits, the Most Generous, the Bestower, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
My Muslim brother: How full this life is of sadness and pains! There is no felicity to anyone. No one drinks its pure cup!
People in life are fluctuating between sorrow and joy, whether old or young!
Life's grief and pleasures are of different degrees. Some are little and last only for a few hours. Others are grave and last for a long time!
O Muslim brother! These are some of the pains which are lived by some people who have been gulping their bitterness for a long time! It is the bitterness found by the deprived and the weak who have tasted the bitterness of life before tasting its sweetness!
Do you know who are those deprived?
They are: (the orphans); those young who have lost their breadwinners before knowing bread!
Those young who have lost their paterfamilias before knowing how to fly!
This is the orphan who is distressed by the death of his father before tasting the sweetness of fatherhood and before feeling the protection of this strong hand!
Brother: have you known now who the orphan is?! This is the orphan, O you with the kind heart. What is our duty, then, towards him?!
Charity to the orphan is a noble virtue.
My Muslim brother: Islam urges for the virtues and the nobilities of morality. One of the noble moralities is: the charity to orphans.
The orphan is the neediest to righteousness and charity. He has lost his father while he mostly needed him, so he needs righteousness and charity.
If you see a man who is merciful to orphans, you should know that he is of noble natures and good moralities.
As-Sâ'ib Ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, entered upon the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him: "O Sâ'ib! Look into your morals according to which you used to behave in the pre-Islamic period and establish them in Islam. Entertain your guests, be generous towards the orphans and be charitable to your neighbor" [Reported by Ahmed and Al-Haythami said: its men are the men of the Sahih (authentic)].
»يا سائب انظر إلى أخلاقك التي كنت تصنعها في الجاهلية، فاجعلها في الإسلام، اقر الضيف، وأكرم اليتيم، وأحسن إلى جارك «رواه الإمام أحمد وقال الهيثمي: رجاله رجال الصحيح
In the tradition: it was narrated about Prophet Dawûd (David), peace be upon him, that he has said: “be to the orphan as a merciful father” [Reported by Al-Bukhâri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrid (the Unique Behavior), its chain is authenticated by Al-Albani]
»كن لليتيم كالأب الرحيم« رواه البخاري في الأدب المفرد وصحح إسناده الألباني
My Muslim brother: Mercy and charity to the orphan, as mentioned, are the moral constitutions of the high-minded. They are adopted by only a noble, virtuous and benevolent man.
Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, used not to eat food unless there was an orphan eating with him on the table!
O brother, let's be that benevolent, the gentle who is seeking to be charitable to orphans, and wipe their tears by your hands and money, and bring joy into their hearts.
Know that if you succeed in that, you are, then, lucky and deserve the title of (the man of the noble manner).
To he who wants to accompany the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Paradise.
My Muslim brother: Entering Paradise is the most valuable thing won by the believers; then how about accompanying the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in it?
This is a degree that can be reached only by those who are charitable to orphans.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "I and the one who looks after an orphan and provides for him will be like this in Paradise," showing his middle and index fingers and separating them a little" [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
»أنا وكافل اليتيم في الجنة هكذا . وأشار بالسبابة والوسطى ، وفرج بينهما شيئا «رواه البخاري
Imam Ibn Battâl, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "It is worthy of him who has heard this Hadith to act according to it in order to accompany the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Paradise. And there is no rank better than this rank in the Hereafter".
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "It is sufficient to confirm the closeness of the degree to the other degree is that there is no other finger between the middle and index fingers"
My Muslim brother: Have you perceived the result of being charitable and merciful to an orphan? Where are you from such goodness?
If you are among the well-to-do, have you ever thought about providing for an orphan to accompany the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Paradise?!
It is not a must for providing for an orphan to be wealthy. However, he who joins an orphan to him and let him eat and drink from his food and drinking achieves such degree.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "he who joins an orphan among Muslims in his food and drink until that he can provide for himself; verily he is assured to enter Paradise" [Al-Albani said: authentic due to its multiplicity of ways]
»من ضم يتيماً بين مسلمين، في طعامه وشرابه، حتى يستغني عنه، وجبت له الجنة« قال الألباني: صحيح لغيره
O you who are keen on what will benefit him, if you have the opportunity to sponsor an orphan, do not waste it… even if your soul is unwilling or rejecting. Consider the reward of he who sponsors an orphan… Do you not like to be a companion to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Paradise?
Be generous to the orphan so your heart will soften and you will achieve your needs!
My Muslim brother: If you complain from heart hardness, charity to the orphan is a reason to soften the heart. This is a remedy recommended by he who has been sent with guidance and righteousness, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Abu Ad-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, said: "a man who was complaining from heart hardness came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He said: "Do you like your heart to be soft and you meet your needs? Be merciful to an orphan. Rub his head and feed him from your food, your heart will be soft and you will meet your needs." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
»أتحب أن يلين قلبك، وتدرك حاجتك؟ ارحم اليتيم، وامسح رأسه، وأطعمه من طعامك، يلن قلبك، وتُدرك حاجتك« صححه الألباني
My Muslim brother: verily, mercy to orphans is a reason to soften hearts and to meet needs!
The one who is merciful to an orphan has replaced his father. A father is naturally merciful and compassionate for his children. And he who is merciful to an orphan has acquired an additional character; which is: being merciful to someone who is not his offspring!
He who does that gathers in his heart the reasons of softening heart whatever hard his heart is! There is no doubt that this is a tested remedy. There is no one who treats an orphan nobly but that who has a soft heart.
On the contrary, no one is unmerciful to orphans but that he has a hardened heart and bad temper!
There is another benefit from the charity to orphans told by the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to the man who asked him, which is; charity to orphans is a reason for meeting needs and achieving the desired.
There is no doubt that Allah Almighty will not waste him who is benevolent to the children of others and who brings joy to their hearts. Allah Almighty is merciful and He loves everyone who is merciful.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you." [Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani]
»الراحمون يرحمهم الرحمن تبارك وتعالى، ارحموا من في الأرض يرحمكم من في السماء« رواه ابو داود والترمذي وصححه الألباني
My Muslim brother: Be merciful to orphans so that Allah will make good your affairs in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
Beware of the property of orphans
My Muslim brother: If the orphan has money, his custodian must fear Allah in it...
You, who Allah has made you a custodian to an orphan, beware of being unjust to his right! This is Hellfire!
Allah Almighty threatens those who unjustly usurp the property of orphans. Listen to this stern warning: {Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!} [Surat An-Nisâ' 4:10]
{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْماً إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ نَاراً وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيراً} النساء: 10
Transliteration: Inna allatheena yakuloona amwala alyatama thulman innama yakuloona fee butoonihim naran wasayaslawna saAAeeran
As-Saddi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "If a man unjustly usurps the property of an orphan, he is to be resurrected in the Day of Resurrection with the flame of fire coming out from his mouth, ears, nose and eyes. He will be known by everyone who sees him by the usurper of the property of the orphan".
My Muslim brother: This verse is sufficient to deter every unjust aggressor of the money of orphans. And which disgrace is greater than entering Hellfire?!
He who wants safety has to escape from approaching the property of the orphans. If he is tested by any, he has to fear Allah in it and not to be unjust to their owners; otherwise he is to be in a great danger!
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "When Allah Glorified and exalted revealed the verse: {And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant will be questioned about.} [Surat Al-Isrâ' 17:34],
{وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَأَوْفُواْ بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْؤُولاً} الإسراء: 34
Transliteration: Wala taqraboo mala alyateemi illa biallatee hiya ahsanu hatta yablugha ashuddahu waawfoo bialAAahdi inna alAAahda kana masoolan
And: {Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans,} [Surat An-Nisâ' 4:10],
{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْماً}النساء: 10
Transliteration: Inna allatheena yakuloona amwala alyatama thulman
He who had an orphan in his house hurried and separated their food from his and their drink from his. The food of the orphan was kept for him till he eats it or gets spoiled. This was severe for them. They mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, so Allah Glorified and Exalted has revealed the verse: {And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:220]
{وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى قُلْ إِصْلاَحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ} البقرة:220
Transliteration: wayasaloonaka AAani alyatama qul islahun lahum khayrun wain tukhalitoohum faikhwanukum
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, recommended Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, by saying: "O Abu Dharr, I find that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons and do not manage the property of an orphan." [Reported by Muslim]
»يا أبا ذر، إني أراك ضعيفاً، وإني أحب لك ما أحب لنفسي، لا تأمرن على اثنين، ولا تولين مال يتيم« رواه مسلم
When the orphan reaches the age of puberty; and sound judgment and righteousness are known from him, his property is to be given to him without being wronged about it a bit.
Allah Almighty has said: {And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them, but consume it not wastefully and hastily fearing that they should grow up} [Surat An-Nisâ' 4:6]
{وَابْتَلُواْ الْيَتَامَى حَتَّىَ إِذَا بَلَغُواْ النِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ آنَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْداً فَادْفَعُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ وَلاَ تَأْكُلُوهَا إِسْرَافاً وَبِدَاراً أَن يَكْبَرُواْ} النساء: 6
Transliteration: Waibtaloo alyatama hatta itha balaghoo alnnikaha fain anastum minhum rushdan faidfaAAoo ilayhim amwalahum wala takulooha israfan wabidaran an yakbaroo
Allah Almighty has ordered us to release their money to them when they reach the age of puberty and sound judgment and righteousness are known from them. The custodian should not usurp the property of the orphan before attaining his puberty in order not to be asked for it.
My Muslim brother: You know that usurping orphans' money is one of the greatest sins that throw one into Hellfire! Do not ever be one of the aggressors of orphan's money if you are one of those who look after it.
Below is a wonderful example that reflects the condition of the pious in dealing with orphans' money.
Az-Zubair Ibn Al-'Awwam, may Allah be pleased with him, was a custodian to seven of the offspring of the companions including: 'Uthman, Ibn Mas'ud and Abdul-Rahman, may Allah be pleased with them. Az-Zubair, may Allah be pleased with him, used to spend on the inheritors from his own money while preserving theirs!
Ponder, may Allah guide you and me, on the determination of such noble master. He is not satisfied for himself but with the highest of degrees. So, Allah has been pleased with him and with all the rest chaste companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
How to be charitable to orphans?
My Muslim brother: charity to orphans may be in many ways, each of which can be identified as charity.
It includes: Feeding, dressing and providing for his necessary needs; the merit of it has been mentioned above.
It includes: Rubbing his head and making him feel the mercy and compassion; this has great effect on the psychology of the orphan.
Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, upon seeing an orphan, he used to rub his head and to give him any thing (that brings joy to his heart).
It includes: Spending money on his education and learning, as one is careful to teach their son.
It includes: Sincerity in upbringing him as one does their son.
It includes: Compassion in disciplining him, if he committed an act that requires discipline.
It includes: Fearing Allah in the orphan's money, if he has any. He should not waste it in order not to be asked for it when the orphan becomes of age. He, otherwise, should preserve it so that he gives the orphan his money when he becomes of age. The stern warning against unjustly eating up the property of orphans has been mentioned above.
It includes: The sincere investment of his money in order that it will not all be spent in alms giving.
My Muslim brother: These are some of the forms of the charity to orphans. Charity to orphans is not limited to specific people. Each Muslim is being addressed to do that, as he is being addressed for doing good actions and righteous deeds.
When Allah Almighty knows the sincere intent of a man, He helps him in performing every good deed. Therefore, brother, observe doing righteous deeds even by intending that in your heart, so when the opportunity comes, you perform good deeds.
There is no one more helpless than a man who cannot entertain the intention of performing righteous deeds!
To every Muslim
My Muslim brother: Despite of being a noble manner and called for by Islam; charity to orphans is done only by those who have merciful hearts and noble selves.
The Muslim society is a society which is tied by the noble instructions called for by Islam.
It is the society which has been described by the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in such a marvelous description: "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, as resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness and fever with it." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
»ترى المؤمنين في تراحمهم، وتوادهم، وتعاطفهم، كمثل الجسد إذا اشتكى عضواً تداعى له سائر جسده بالسهر والحمى« رواه البخاري
This is a description showing how the Muslim society should be like.
The orphan is a part of this society; he has the same rights as others and has the same obligations. It is obligatory for all Muslims to be charitable and kind to him. They are to compensate him for the sympathy and compassion of parenthood. They are to exert for him the same they do for their children and family.
My Muslim brother
It is not difficult to join an orphan to your home, to feed him from what you eat, dress him from what you wear and to make him as one of your children.
Let this be for the sake of Allah Almighty so that you may be one of those who Allah has said about them: { And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive, (8) (Saying): "We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. (9) "Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it)." (10) So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy. (11) And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.} [Surat Al-Insân 76:8-12]
{وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَيَتِيماً وَأَسِيراً (8) إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاء وَلَا شُكُوراً(9) إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْماً عَبُوساً قَمْطَرِيراً (10) فَوَقَاهُمُ اللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّاهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُوراً (11) وَجَزَاهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا جَنَّةً وَحَرِيراً} الإنسان: 8-12
Transliteration: WayutAAimona alttaAAama AAala hubbihi miskeenan wayateeman waaseeran (8) Innama nutAAimukum liwajhi Allahi la nureedu minkum jazaan wala shukooran (9) Inna nakhafu min rabbina yawman AAaboosan qamtareeran (10) Fawaqahumu Allahu sharra thalika alyawmi walaqqahum nadratan wasurooran (11) Wajazahum bima sabaroo jannatan wahareeran
May Allah guide you, my Muslim brother, and me to do good deeds and may He help you and me to be firm till death.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah Almighty, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Translated by Wathakker.info website
Modified to meet with authentic Hadith
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