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)