Instructions Concerning Orphans

LESSON # 258 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Instructions Concerning Orphans

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse – 220c    of  286, Section – 27 (Part - 2)

And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. And Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth. And had Allah willed He would have overburdened you. Surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Wa  ‘in-  tukhaalituu-hum  fa- ‘ikhwaanukum.  Wal-laahu  ya’- lamul-mufsida  mi- nal- muslih.  Wa  law shaaa- ‘al-laahu  la- ‘a’ –natakum.  ‘Innal-laaha  ‘Aziizun  Hakiim.

Lesson

We have recited the question of the Companions (Sahaabah) (may Allah be pleased with them) concerning orphans. In reply Allah Almighty commanded with complete detail that improving the lot of orphans is best in reward and remuneration. Their position is like your brothers. Then formality with them is of what sort? The purpose is to improve the lot and correction of the orphans’ wealth and property, so one should do as he seems better. If any person thinks that there is some more advantage in separating their accounts, then he should do so. But if he considers that the orphan will remain in gain due to mutual business, then nothing is wrong also with it. After all, they are your religious brothers.

The orphans are considered as extremely despised and humiliated in the old cultures and besides this several present nations, but Islam has told by saying them ‘ikh-waanukum (your brothers) that there is no difference between you and them being a mankind. They should be dear to you as your own brothers are dear to you. They have the right to improve themselves. None should stand in their way. Moreover they should be helped to achieve their goals as one brother helps the other. So you should keep in view their correction and betterment in each condition, and for it you can adopt any method which you like. God Almighty knows the secrets of everybody’s heart and understands that who spoils and who improves.

After it God Almighty also commanded that if Allah Almighty wished, a strict order might be given too, which you had to do, because He is Mighty, Wise. But He did not do so because He understands the advisability of each order. He doesn’t order which may be difficult and heavy.

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)

Improving The Orphans’ Lot

LESSON # 257 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Improving The Orphans’ Lot

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse – 220b    of  286, Section – 27 (Part - 2)

And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best.

Wa  yas- ‘aluunaka  ‘anil-yataamaa.  Qul  ‘islaahul-lahum  Khayr.

Lesson

‘Al-yataamaa – (the orphans) it is plural of Yatiim which means the orphan, (the boy or girl whose father or mother or both have expired). After the death of child’s father the orphan-hood becomes more mercy-able for him/her.  

‘Islaahun – (to improve the lot) each type of physical, financial and moral arrangement comes in it. Here it concerns particularly with the financial improvement of the orphans.

This verse was revealed as reply to the question of those companions’ (Sahaaba) (may Allah be pleased with them), to whom the responsibility of orphans was given to bring them up. Some people did not use to care in the property of the orphans. Upon that occasion this verse was revealed, “Wa  laa  taqrabuu maa-lal  yatiimi  illaa  billatii  hiya  ‘ahsan” (Don’t go near the property of orphans except for their betterment). Due to this verse, those persons who were guardians of the orphans, frightened and separated totally their expenses. Now there was another problem due to separating the expenses, that, which thing was prepared for the orphans, if some of it remained in balance that was spoiled. In this care there was being some loss of the orphans. So they raised doubts about it in the court of the Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) that “which system will be better for the expenses of the orphans”? Should their expenses be kept totally separate or be included in our calculation/account?

It has been replied in this verse that actual purpose is “to improve their lot” manage at your own as it may be possible, intention and will should be only to improve their lot and do better for the orphans, wishing the expenses are separated or included.

Number of children like this is in sufficient quantity in the society who has been deprived from the kindness of their parents during child-hood. Strength of the orphans increases very much during the time of warfare. They do not have ability to get sound advantages properly out of their goods, wealth and property. It is very necessary to look after them; otherwise it is much possible that they will go astray or be damaged. The people who take their responsibility for looking after and training, they should use their wealth and property with great care and honesty.

Now a days fostering the orphans and execution of the orphanage has become a regular pas-time business. Bosses of some institutes use the orphans as tool for their unlawful aims. They disgrace economically, socially and morally very much. Strict threat is for like these persons.  

The Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) has forced much for training and looking after the orphans and declared abundant reward and remuneration for it.  

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)