World Orphan Day
It was World Orphan day last week (but still an going issue) so this thought came to mind ...
At school I could never get into reading Oliver Twist - it was the first time I really reflected on the life of an orphan. Though a fiction, it drew from life’s realities where kids were often sent to the workhouses; which were all too often unsafe, filled with neglect, devoid of affection or kind words, all because they were parentless orphans. Still today, in a conflict ridden world (even the affluent), the neglect persists for many, albeit in its own terrible shape and forms.
Now fast forward, as an adult imagine the surprise when I came across the words of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings about orphans. That 1400 years ago the Prophet ﷺ [an orphan himself], said;
“... I and the orphan’s guardian will be in heaven like these two," (indicating his two fingers.) [Adhab Al Mufrad]
It’s no wonder that through this and other hadiths you see a snapshot into the day to day lives that this incredible social reform brought to a community, which encouraged the good treatment of orphans and ensured the weakest among them were looked after and protected.
Where Abu Bakr ibn Hafs said that 'Abdullah Ibn Umar would not eat unless an orphan was at his table.’[Adhab Al Mufrad].
Where the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, Aisha (ra) had orphans in her care, the children of her deceased brother, and loved them as a mother would. [ Adhab Al Mufrad]
Even hadiths (not directly about orphans) opened my eyes to their visibility, inclusion in life and kind treatment.
Anas Ibn Malik (ra) said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to our house and I prayed with an orphan of ours behind him, and Umm Sulaim prayed behind us."[Nasai]
And these above are only glimpses into the lives of a society at large that helped in whatever capacity; from those who stepped into the shoes of guardians if they could and to those at the very least made duas and softened their hearts with kindness to ‘𝐩𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝,‘ of an orphan.
It was a society that shares the collective duty all levels to ensure every aspect of an orphan’s welfare was met from emotional needs, their dignity, education and safety to their financial stability. 🌙
𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of S. N Jalali ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 , Islamic chapter books for kids📚)
