Parents are one of the greatest blessings of Allah swt. Loosing any one or both of them is such a loss that its beyond count. When parents, leave, all the love and kindness in the world leaves. Or at least the orphans think so. It is because parents are shade in the hardships, in difficulties and in hard times. When this kind shade is gone, only the scorching heat of reality remains. And the orphans have to live in it.
It is because of this that islam has put so much emphasis on kindness with orphans. Our beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh himself was an orphan. He (pbuh) lost his parents. After his parents, his grandfather took the responsibility to raise him. His grandfather was very nice to him. And after his departure, his( pbuh) uncle took his responsibility. Our beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh used to be very nice to orphans and he also emphasized greatly to be good with them. Let us see what Quran says about orphans.
You cannot bear to loose your parents or to leave your children alone in this world. If you can feel this, you should know that orphans need our care and our love the most. Of course, we should love every one for the sake of Allah swt. A penny we spend for the sake of Allah swt, He promises to return us 10 times more of it in this world and seventy times in the hereafter. The same measure, or probably more,goes for love and care.
It is because of this that islam has put so much emphasis on kindness with orphans. Our beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh himself was an orphan. He (pbuh) lost his parents. After his parents, his grandfather took the responsibility to raise him. His grandfather was very nice to him. And after his departure, his( pbuh) uncle took his responsibility. Our beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh used to be very nice to orphans and he also emphasized greatly to be good with them. Let us see what Quran says about orphans.
[002:177] Piety is not (a ritual requiring) that you turn your faces towards the East or the West (during ‘salat’). Rather, pious is he who believes (firmly) in Allah, the last day, the angels, the scriptures, and the prophets. (Pious is he, who) spends his wealth (in charity) out of love for Him on his kinsfolk, the orphans, the poor, and the wayfarer. (Pious is the one who) gives (help) to those who ask (for help), and (spends money) to free slaves. And (pious are those who) establish ‘salat’, pay the ‘zakat’, and fulfill the pledges made by them. Those who endure and display fortitude during poverty and adversity, and during times of crises. Such are the people who are sincere! Such are the pious ones!Here Allah swt has linked piety with being good and nice to others. He swt has specifically mentioned orphans in this verse. Thus, one who offers salah regularly but never cars for poor, needy and orphans, his piety is not real. This shows how much importance has been given to treating orphans good by Allah swt. In the following verse, Allah swt say;
[002:215] They ask you as to what (and on whom) should they spend. Say, “Whatever good you do (and the money you spare) should (first) be for your parents and the near ones, and (then) for the orphans, the needy and the wayfarers. Indeed, Allah knows well whatever good you do!”Thus, after spending on family and kin, comes the number of orphans. This also shows how much is it important to be good and nice towards orphans. In another verse, Allah swt say;
[002:220] (You may ponder) about (the transient nature of) this life, and (the permanence of) the life-to-come! They ask you about the orphans. Say, “The best (conduct) is to better (their conduct and condition). If you allow your affairs (and assets) to mingle, then of course they are your brethren. Allah knows well the one who (spoils and) covets, and also the one who improves (and reforms). He could have imposed a hardship on you. Indeed, Allah is the most Powerful and the Wisest.This beautiful verse further clarifies the status of orphans in Islam. Islam puts so much importance towards orphans because they loose the two ultimate sources of care and love, their parents. So, islam asks us to feel their pain, feel their fears and loneliness. Islam tells us feel about them the same way we feel about our families. Just imagine for a minute that you have no parents, or your children are left alone, what will your heart say? It will cry.
You cannot bear to loose your parents or to leave your children alone in this world. If you can feel this, you should know that orphans need our care and our love the most. Of course, we should love every one for the sake of Allah swt. A penny we spend for the sake of Allah swt, He promises to return us 10 times more of it in this world and seventy times in the hereafter. The same measure, or probably more,goes for love and care.