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islamic knowledge
ABOUT Widows and Orphans
"How about widows and orphans? What does Islam say, Dad?" asked MuhammadAli curiously.
Abdul-Rahman was in a talkative mood so he answered, "Of all people who need our understanding, sympathy, and help, widows and orphans need them most. A widow with little or no support often suffers a lot or is at a disadvantage. If she has children the problem becomes acute and the situation precarious. See what the Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاء وَلا شُكُورًا
And They Feed, For The Love Of Allah, The Indigent, The Orphan, And The Captives, Saying: We Feed You For Allah's Sake: No Reward Do We Seek From You Nor Thanks.
(Surah 76: Ayah 8-9)
وَآتُواْ الْيَتَامَى أَمْوَالَهُمْ وَلاَ تَتَبَدَّلُواْ الْخَبِيثَ بِالطَّيِّبِ وَلاَ تَأْكُلُواْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلَى أَمْوَالِكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا
And As To The Orphans, Restore Their Property (When They Reach Their Age), Don't Substitute Your Bad Things For Their Good Ones, And Devour Not Their Funds (By Mixing It Up) With Your Own;
For Of A Certainty This Is A Great Sin.
(Surah 4: Ayah 2)
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْ وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
...Therefore, Treat Not The Orphan With Oppression, Nor Be Harsh To The Seeker Of Information, But Speak Publicly Of The Bounty Of Your Lord.
(Surah 93: Ayah 9-11)
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ وَلا يَحُضُّ عَلَى طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ
Have You Seen The One Who Denies Religion? It Is He Who Turns Away The Orphan And Does
Not Urge Others To Feed The Poor....
(Surah 107: Ayah 1-3)
"As we see," said Abdul-Rahman, "the Creator (swt) urges us to do everything in our power to help the orphans and widows. That means not only material help but also help with their worldly affairs. Allah rewards us (thawaab) very well for these deeds and He oversees and knows all about us.
Let us take some Hadiths in this regard. Muhammad (pbuh) says:
السَّاعي على ألأرْمَلةِ والمِسْكينِ كَالمُجَاهدُ في سَبيلِ اللهِ أو القائمِ الَّليْـل الصائمِ النهار
A Giver Of Maintenance To The Widows And The Poor Is Like A Giver In The Way Of God, An Utterer Of Prayers All Night, And Fasting During The Day. Bukhari
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
► The Person Who Strives For The Widows And The Poor Is Like One Who Strives In The Way Of God.
"You see, a widow is in need," continued Abdul-Rahman, "And it is an honor to help and support her. It is essential we strive hard to assist and support the widow and orphan.
Orphans are even at a greater disadvantage. They not only need support, but also guidance and care. Both the Holy Quran and the Prophet (pbuh) request us to pay extra care to such situations. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) has said:
أنا وكافلُ اليَـتيمِ في الجَنَّةِ هكذا (وأشار بإصبعيه السبابة والوسطى)
I And The Person Who Brings Up An Orphan Will Be Like This In Heavens; And He Put His Index And Middle Finger Together.
Bukhari
► The Finest Home Is The One In Which An Orphan Is Treated Well, And The Worst Home Is The One In Which An Orphan Is Ill‑Treated.
► Instruct The Orphan In The Manner You Educate Your Own Child; If You Punish Him, Punish Him Like You Would Your Own Child. (Imam Ali.)
Children who have lost a parent are at a great disadvantage; they feel deprived and different from others. Some are so unfortunate as to lose both parents and consequently are all by themselves, almost helpless.
Muslims are to be very sensitive to the needs of the orphans and their support; to give help and assistance whenever and wherever possible. The orphans may need care until they become independent. During those years, they need advice, direction, support, and love like other children. Their possessions need protection and supervision as well. Therefore, orphans and widows are to have extra care, protection, advice and supervision, all for the sake of the Almighty and humanity. The effort in their support is what the Prophet describes as 'A struggle in the way of God,' which is a very noble end in itself."
"Islam comes with strong support to widows and orphans," MuhammadAli said admiringly. Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:
ISLAM TEACHES US ABOUT WIDOWS AND ORPHANS:
- That widows and orphans need our help which should be offered as a duty and voluntarily
- That we should support both emotionally
- That we should support them financially
- That we should assist them with everyday chores, if our help is needed
- That we should help, yet let them keep their dignity and self respect
- That an orphan is at a great disadvantage
- more than anyone else, an orphan needs our understanding, assistance, and protection
- That our assistance should be available to the orphan until he is grown and able to care for himself
- That an orphan and his possessions are like an important trust in our hands, a trust to be taken seriously.
ABOUT Indebtedness
"Dad," asked MuhammadAli, "I am curious. What does Islam say about debts?"
"Islam encourages us to repay our debts as soon as we are able to," answered his father who then continued, "We are to return the favor to the debtor with our thanks and gratitude. The indebted man who does not do so is committing an offensive act, and Islam strongly discourages such acts. The person who returns his debt is like someone who returns his trust; he will be regarded as dependable, decent, and honest. The person who does not return his debt is betraying his trust, he is not too different from a thief. He will lose people's confidence and Allah will hold him accountable in due time.
Referring to the Holy Quran, let us see what the Almighty says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ…
When You Deal In Contracting A Debt For A Fixed Time, Write It Down.....And From Among You, Let Someone Write It Faithfully. (Surah 2: Ayah 282)
The Prophet (pbuh) has said:
مَن أخَذَ أموالَ النَّاسِ يُريدُ أدَائَهَا أدَّى اللهُ عَنهُ
و مَن أخَذَ يُريْدُ إتْلافِها أتْلفَهُ الله
To Be In Debt Intending To Repay It, Allah Will Pay It On His Behalf, (By Providing The Means To Pay It), And To Be In Debt Intending To Squander It, Allah Will Bring The Person To Ruin.
Bukhari
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
► Delaying The Payment Of A Debt By A Well‑To‑Do Person Is ► Injustice.
► Deferring Payment Of Debts By One Who Has The Means To Repay, Legalizes His Punishment And Dishonor.
"MuhammadAli," said Abdul-Rahman with emphasis, "When in need, and a person has relatives or friends who can lend to him, he may borrow from them. But he must have the full intention to repay the debt as soon as possible. This is the least he can do to return the favor." Abdul-Rahman paused in thought and then added, "If he is grateful for being trusted and given the money he needed, then paying it back should be with thanks and gratitude.
The person who doesn't intend to pay back his debts deserves disgrace and a just punishment. That is because it is one way of breaking a trust, damaging others and being ungrateful. It is only a cheater who does such a thing, a Muslim should always be honest and reliable."
"Islam then recommends that we observe definite rules in regard to indebtedness," MuhammadAli remarked.
Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:
ISLAM TEACHES US ABOUT BURROWING: |
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ABOUT Honest Work
"How about begging? Is it an evil thing too?" MuhammadAli asked, now that his store of Islamic knowledge has expanded so much.
His father sneezed, excused himself and then answered, "Islam urges every able man to work and earn his living the decent way. The dignity of work stands high in Islam, and Muslims are encouraged to be dependable and responsible workers. This is the proper way Muslims earn their living and provide for their families.
Fortunately most people are able to work and provide for their families. Islam urges us to work hard for our living and to be independent, since being in need of others may make us lose our dignity and self‑respect. However, there are those who are less fortunate, and may be in need to an extent. For those who are not able to work, Allah provides for them by ordering us to extend a helping hand. Allah says in the Quran:
وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ
.....In Their Wealth The Needy And The Destitute Have Their Due. (Surah 51: Ayah 19)
Let us also quote some Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):
لأَنْ يأخُذَ أحدُكُم حَبْلهُ فَيأتِي بحُزْمةِ حَطب على ظَهرِهِ فيَـبيعَها فَيَكُفَّ اللهُ بها وجْههُ
خَيْرٌُُ لهُ مِن أنْ يسألَ النّاسَ: أعْطُوهُ أو مَنَعُوهُ
It Is Better For Any Of You To Take Your Rope And Bring A Bundle Of Wood And Sell It, (In Which Case Allah Will Guard Your Honor) Than To Beg Of People, Who May Give Him Or Reject Him
Bukhari
Other Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) and/or sayings of the Imams are given here:
► The One Who Is Able And Fit And Does Not Work For Himself Or For Others, Allah Is Not Gracious To Him.
► Allah Is Gracious To The One Who Earns His Living By His Own Labor And Not By Begging.
► The One Who Has Enough Food For A Day And Night‑It Is Prohibited For Him To Beg.
► Pursuit Of Lawful Livelihood Is The Obligation Of Every Muslim, Man Or Woman. To Struggle For One's Family's Livelihood Is Like Fighting In The Way Of God. When Muhammad (Pbuh) Was Asked, "Whose Earnings Are Better?," The Prophet (Pbuh) Answered, "Of Him Who Toils With His Own Hands.
► A Wise Man Relies On His Efforts And The Fool Relies On His Hopes. (Imam Ali.)
A righteous Muslim is a decent person. To earn his living he has to work for it. The kind of work depends on his capacity and the opportunities available to him. As a matter of fact, women are also allowed to work in the field of their specialty so long as it does not interfere with family responsibilities.
Therefore, Islam urges Muslims to depend on themselves, work hard and honorably and to earn their living as best as they can.
The person who begs of people will lose his self‑respect, will be looked down upon, and his dignity will suffer."
"Islam then teaches us to work hard and not to beg," MuhammadAli said.
Abdul-Rahman answered briefly:
ISLAM TEACHES US ABOUT HARD WORK: |
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