Womb and Orphans

ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقۡطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ ٢٧

Those who break Allah’s Covenant after ratifying it, and sever what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth, it is they who are the losers.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 27

• Allah took the pledge of the disbelievers, idol worshippers and hypocrites (also the people of the Scriptures) to believe in His Oneness, showing the signs that testify to His Lordship. He also took a covenant from them to obey His commands and refrain from His prohibitions (and to follow Muhammad, pbuh, when he is sent as a prophet). The covenant was broken when the disbeliever denied what was proven to them to be authentic and rejected Allah’s Prophets and Books
• ‘what Allah has ordered to be joined’ – Qatadah asserted that this is in reference to keeping the relations with the relatives. However, it has been said by others that the meaning is more general. Hence, everything that Allah has commanded to nurture, and the people severed, is included in its meaning. Those who do mischief on earth are, therefore, held to be transgressors that strike their blows at those very relationships upon which the individual and collective well-being of mankind depends. By extension, this has also been held to mean forbidding the establishment of all forms of human relationship except the right and permissible ones. For wrong and prohibited bonds between people have the same consequence as the disruption of the legal bonds of human relationship
• ‘It is they who are the losers’ – meaning, In the Hereafter they are the losers. Ibn Abbas said: “Every characteristic that Allah describes those other than the people of Islam – such as being losers – then it refers to disbelief. However, when they are attributed to the people of Islam, then these terms refer to sin”. Ibn Jarir commented, “Losers is plural for loser, this word refers to whoever decreased his own share of Allah’s Mercy by disobeying Him, just as the merchant loses in his trade by sustaining capital loss. Such is the case with the hypocrites and the disbeliever who lose their share of the mercy that Allah has in store for His servants on the Day of Resurrection. And that is when the disbeliever and the hypocrite most desperately need Allah’s mercy”

وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَانٗا وَذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنٗا وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنكُمۡ وَأَنتُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ ٨٣

And (remember) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none but Allah (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans and Al-Masakeen (the poor), and speak good to people, and perform As-Salat (the prayer), and give Zakat (obligatory charity). Then you slid back, except a few of you, while you are backsliders.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 83

يَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَۖ قُلۡ مَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّنۡ خَيۡرٖ فَلِلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۗ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٞ ٢١٥

They ask you (O Muhammad, pbuh) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 215

فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۗ وَيَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰۖ قُلۡ إِصۡلَاحٞ لَّهُمۡ خَيۡرٞۖ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمۡ فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُصۡلِحِۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَعۡنَتَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ ٢٢٠

… And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: “The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows him who means mischief (e.g., to swallow their property) from him who means good (e.g., to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties. Truly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 220

• Before this verse was revealed many severe injunctions had already been revealed regarding the protection of orphans’ property. It had been ordained that people should not even draw near to the property of the orphan (V 6: 152) and (V 17: 34); and that those who wrongfully eat the properties of orphans only, fill their bellies with fire (V 4: 10). Because of these severe injunctions the orphans’ guardians were so over awed that they even separated the food and drink of the orphans from their own; they felt anxious lest anything belonging to the orphans became mixed with their own. It is for this reason that they enquired of the Prophet (pbuh) what the proper form of their dealings with orphans should be. The verse under discussion has somewhat lessoned the burden of the guardians; and the statement that ‘Allah knows the mischief-maker from the well-doer’, also hints at this relaxation of rigour. The meaning is: Now you may mingle with your wards, the orphans (and this is the relaxation of the previous rule); but the mingling should be as of two brothers who have equal obligations towards each other. If this condition is fulfilled, then there should be no anxiety and fear on your part. If that mingling is with good intentions, and in order to set their affairs right for them, then it is good; and the reality cannot be hidden from Allah, and He will not reproach you just because you mingled and mixed with the orphans, provided you did it for their good, like brethren, and Allah knows the difference between a mischief-maker and a well-doer.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٖ وَٰحِدَةٖ وَخَلَقَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡهُمَا رِجَالٗا كَثِيرٗا وَنِسَآءٗۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِي تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡأَرۡحَامَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيبٗا ١

O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women; And fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights) and revere the wombs. Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 1

• Narrated Jubair bin Mutim that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying: ‘Qati (the person who severs the bond of kinship) will not enter Paradise’
• Revere the wombs – Do not cut the relations of kinship, but keep and honour them
• Allah mentioned that He has created mankind from a single father and a single mother, so that they feel compassion for each other and are kind to the weaker among them.

وَءَاتُواْ ٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰٓ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُواْ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِۖ وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ إِلَىٰٓ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبٗا كَبِيرٗا ٢

And give to the orphan their property and do not exchange bad things for good ones; and devour not their substance to your substance. Surely, this is a great sin. Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 2

• Allah directs the guardian of the orphans to spend out of the latter’s property while they are still minor, and to restore it to them when they attain majority.
• ‘bad things for good ones’ means one should not exchange one’s own property that is of little value for the more valuable property of the orphans.
• Devouring means not mixing orphan’s property with yours so that you eat up both

وَٱبۡتَلُواْ ٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُواْ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنۡ ءَانَسۡتُم مِّنۡهُمۡ رُشۡدٗا فَٱدۡفَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوهَآ إِسۡرَافٗا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكۡبَرُواْۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيّٗا فَلۡيَسۡتَعۡفِفۡۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرٗا فَلۡيَأۡكُلۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعۡتُمۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فَأَشۡهِدُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبٗا ٦

And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgement in them, release their property to them, but consume it not wastefully, and hastily fearing that they should grow up, and whoever amongst guardians is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his work). And when you release their property to them, take witness in their presence; and Allah is All-Sufficient in taking account.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 6

• Two conditions have been laid down for handing over the charge of their properties to such people. The first of these is the attainment of puberty, and the second is that of mental maturity - i.e., the capacity to manage their affairs in a sound and appropriate manner. There is full agreement among Muslim jurists with regard to the first condition. As for the second condition, Abu Hanifah is of the opinion that if an orphan does not attain mental maturity after he has attained puberty, the guardian of the orphan should wait for a maximum of seven years after which he should hand over the property to its owner regardless of whether he has attained maturity or not. According to Abu Yusuf, Muhammad b. al-Hasan and Shafi'i, maturity is an indispensable pre-condition for the handing over of property. If one were to apply the doctrine of the latter jurists it would probably be more appropriate to refer particular cases to a judge under Islamic law. If the judge is convinced that the person concerned lacks maturity, he should make adequate arrangements for the supervision of that person’s financial affairs.
• The guardian who is poor is entitled to remuneration for his service. The amount of this remuneration should be such as is deemed to be fair by neutral and reasonable people. Moreover, the guardian is instructed that he should take a fixed and known amount by way of remuneration, that he should take it openly rather than secretly, and that he should keep an account of it.

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٞ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلۡوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٞ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلۡوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنۡهُ أَوۡ كَثُرَۚ نَصِيبٗا مَّفۡرُوضٗا ٧ وَإِذَا حَضَرَ ٱلۡقِسۡمَةَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينُ فَٱرۡزُقُوهُم مِّنۡهُ وَقُولُواْ لَهُمۡ قَوۡلٗا مَّعۡرُوفٗا ٨ وَلۡيَخۡشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوۡ تَرَكُواْ مِنۡ خَلۡفِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّةٗ ضِعَٰفًا خَافُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ فَلۡيَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلۡيَقُولُواْ قَوۡلٗا سَدِيدًا ٩ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأۡكُلُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَ ٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ ظُلۡمًا إِنَّمَا يَأۡكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمۡ نَارٗاۖ وَسَيَصۡلَوۡنَ سَعِيرٗا ١٠

There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether, the property be small or large - a legal share. And when the relatives and the orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) are present at the time of division, give them out of the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice. And let those (executors and guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind. So let them fear Allah and speak right words. Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verses 7-10

• Narrated Abu Hurayrah that the prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Avoid the seven great destructive sins:

1. To join in worship along with Allah
2. Magic
3. To kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause
4. To consume interest
5. To consume an orphan’s property
6. To turn your back to the enemy and flee from the battlefield at the time of fighting; and
7. To accuse chaste women who never even think of anything harmful to their chastity being good believers’

۞وَٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡ‍ٔٗاۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنٗا وَبِذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡجَارِ ذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡجَارِ ٱلۡجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلۡجَنۢبِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخۡتَالٗا فَخُورًا ٣٦

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful;

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 36

وَيَسۡتَفۡتُونَكَ فِي ٱلنِّسَآءِۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفۡتِيكُمۡ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ فِي يَتَٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّٰتِي لَا تُؤۡتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرۡغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلۡوِلۡدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُواْ لِلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٗا ١٢٧

They ask your legal instruction concerning women, say: Allah instructs you about them, and about what is recited unto you in the Book concerning the orphan girls whom you give not the prescribed portions (as regards Mahr and inheritance) and yet whom you desire to marry, and (concerning) the children who are weak and oppressed, and that you stand firm for justice to orphans. And whatever good you do Allah is Ever All Aware of it.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 127

• …whom you give not the prescribed portion… - In explanation of this verse Aishah states that, in those days, guardians of orphan girls who had any significant inheritance from their parents used to perpetrate many wrongs on their wards. If the girl was both rich and good looking, the guardian desired to marry her and exploit both her attractiveness and wealth without either having to make the bridal-due (mahr) or even having to undertake her maintenance. If the girl was ugly, the guardian would neither marry her nor allow her to get married, for she might thus get a husband who would support her claim to her legitimate rights. Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas said, “During the time of Jahiliyyah, the caretaker of a female orphan would cover her with his rope, and when he did that, no man would marry her. If she was beautiful and he desired to marry her, he married her and took control of her wealth. If she was not beautiful, he did not allow her to marry until she died, and when she died, he inherited her money. Allah prohibited and outlawed this practice”.

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۖ وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ كَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰۖ وَبِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡفُواْۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ ١٥٢

“And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e., judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you, that you may remember”.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verse 152

• …except to improve it… - one’s handling of the property of orphans should be based on maximum selflessness, sincerity and well-wishing for the orphans; it should be of a kind which lends itself to no reproach, either from God or man.

۞وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا غَنِمۡتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمۡ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِنَا يَوۡمَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡتَقَى ٱلۡجَمۡعَانِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ ٤١

And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allah, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives [of the Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh)], (and also) the orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer, if you have believed in Allah and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad, pbuh) on the Day of Criterion (between right and wrong), the Day when the two forces met (the battle of Badr) - And Allah is Able to do all things.

Surah 8 Al-Anfal Verse 41

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقۡطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّعۡنَةُ وَلَهُمۡ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ ٢٥

And those who break the covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined (bonds of kinship), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse, and for them is the unhappy home (Hell). Surah 13 Ar-Ra’d Verse 25

وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرۡ تَبۡذِيرًا ٢٦ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓاْ إِخۡوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورٗا ٢٧

And give to the kinsmen his due and to the Miskin (needy) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatin, and the Shaitan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

Surah 17 Al-Isra Verses 26-27

• A Hadith states; ‘Your mother and your father, then your closest relatives and the next closest’
• According to another Hadith: ‘Whoever would like to see his provision expanded and his life extended, let him maintain ties of kinship’
• Mujahid said: If a man spends all his wealth on appropriate things, then he is not a spendthrift; but if he spends a little inappropriately, then he is a spendthrift. Qatadah said: Extravagance means spending money on sin in disobeying Allah, and on wrongful and corrupt things

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسۡ‍ُٔولٗا ٣٤

And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant will be questioned about.

Surah 17 Al-Isra Verse 34

• In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that the Prophet (pbuh) said to Abu Dharr: ‘O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak (in administering), and I like for you that which I like for myself. Do not let yourself be appointed as Amir over two people, and do not let yourself be appointed as guardian of an orphan’s property’

فَهَلۡ عَسَيۡتُمۡ إِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ أَن تُفۡسِدُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوٓاْ أَرۡحَامَكُمۡ ٢٢ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمۡ وَأَعۡمَىٰٓ أَبۡصَٰرَهُمۡ ٢٣

Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.

Surah 47 Muhammad Verses 22-23

• This involves a general prohibition of spreading corruption on earth, and a specific prohibition of severing the ties of kinship by treating the relatives well in speech, actions, and spending wealth in charity
• Narrated Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Allah created His creation, and when He finished it the womb got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, “What is the matter?” On that it said, “I seek refuge with you from Al-Qati’ah (those who sever the ties of kith and kin)”. On that Allah said, “Will you accept (be satisfied) if I bestow My favours on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favours from him who severs your ties?” On that it said, “Yes my Lord!”. Then Allah said, “That is for you (granted)”’
• Narrated Abu Bakrah that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘No sin deserves that Allah hasten its punishment in the worldly life, in addition to what He reserves in the Hereafter for those who commit it, more than injustice and severance of the ties of kinship’
• Narrated Thawban that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Whoever likes for his life to be extended, and his provisions increased, let him connect his ties of kinship’
• Narrated Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The womb will be placed on the Day of Resurrection, curved like a spinning wheel with an eloquent fluent tongue, calling to severing whoever had severed it, and joining whoever had joined it’
• Narrated Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The merciful ones will be granted mercy from the Most Merciful. Have mercy on those on earth – the One above the heavens will then have mercy on you. And Ar-Rahim (the Womb) is from Ar-Rahman, so whoever joins it, it joins him; and whoever severs it, it severs him’

وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينٗا وَيَتِيمٗا وَأَسِيرًا ٨ إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءٗ وَلَا شُكُورًا ٩ إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوۡمًا عَبُوسٗا قَمۡطَرِيرٗا ١٠

And they [the Abrar (pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil)] give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive; (Saying): “We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it)”.

Surah 76 Al-Insan Verses 8-10

كَلَّاۖ بَل لَّا تُكۡرِمُونَ ٱلۡيَتِيمَ ١٧ وَلَا تَحَٰٓضُّونَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلۡمِسۡكِينِ ١٨ وَتَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلتُّرَاثَ أَكۡلٗا لَّمّٗا ١٩ وَتُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡمَالَ حُبّٗا جَمّٗا ٢٠ كَلَّآۖ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ دَكّٗا دَكّٗا ٢١ وَجَآءَ رَبُّكَ وَٱلۡمَلَكُ صَفّٗا صَفّٗا ٢٢ وَجِاْيٓءَ يَوۡمَئِذِۢ بِجَهَنَّمَۚ يَوۡمَئِذٖ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ ٢٣

Nay! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity (i.e., you neither treat them well, nor give them their exact right of inheritance)! And urge not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor)! And you devour inheritance all with greed; And you love wealth with much love! Nay! When the earth is ground to powder; And your Lord comes with the angels in rows; And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him?

Surah 89 Al-Fajr Verses 17-23

• …kindness and generosity… - It is worth noting that the verse does not speak about feeding the orphans, but it speaks about treating the orphans with kindness and generosity. This is because the subject matter about an orphan is not only his hunger, but that sympathy, as a remedy for his deficiencies, is more important than his hunger, alone. An orphan should not be put in conditions which make him feel in misery and worthless, just because of his being orphaned. He should be respected and honoured so that he does not feel the lack of his parents. That is why in some Islamic texts, affection and sympathy for orphans is considered especially important. Also, Surah 93 Ad-Duha Verse 9 says: “Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression”. This is just opposite to the treatment that ignorant people in the faithless ancient societies showed and also the same is true today in the disbelieving, modern ones which not only use different schemes and make various tricks to oppressively take the orphan's property, but abandon him in the society so that he tastes his plight in the most bitter of ways.

فَلَا ٱقۡتَحَمَ ٱلۡعَقَبَةَ ١١ وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡعَقَبَةُ ١٢ فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ ١٣ أَوۡ إِطۡعَٰمٞ فِي يَوۡمٖ ذِي مَسۡغَبَةٖ ١٤ يَتِيمٗا ذَا مَقۡرَبَةٍ ١٥ أَوۡ مِسۡكِينٗا ذَا مَتۡرَبَةٖ ١٦

But he (man) has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. And what will make you know the path that is steep? (It is) Freeing a neck (slave); Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine); To an orphan near of kin. Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery.

Surah 90 Al-Balad Verses 11-16

• Sahl bin Saad has reported, The Prophet (pbuh) said: I and the one who supports a nearly related or un-related orphan, shall stand in Paradise like this, saying this he raised his index finger and the middle finger, keeping them a little apart. Abu Hurairah has reported this saying of the Prophet (pbuh): The best among the Muslim homes is the home wherein an orphan is treated well and the worst the one wherein an orphan is mistreated. Abu Umamah says that the Prophet (pbuh) said: The one who passed his hand on the head of an orphan, only for the sake of Allah, will have as many acts of virtue recorded in his favor as the number of the hair on which his hand passed, and the one who treated an orphan boy or girl well, will stand in Paradise with me like this, saying this the Prophet (pbuh) joined his two fingers together. Ibn Abbas says, the Prophet (pbuh) said: The one who made an orphan join him in eating and drinking, Allah will make Paradise obligatory for him unless he commits a sin which cannot be forgiven. Abu Hurairah says: A man complained before the Prophet (pbuh), saying: I am hard-hearted. The Prophet (pbuh) said to him: Treat the orphan with kindness and love and feed the needy one.

أَلَمۡ يَجِدۡكَ يَتِيمٗا فَ‍َٔاوَىٰ ٦ وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلّٗا فَهَدَىٰ ٧ وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلٗا فَأَغۡنَىٰ ٨ فَأَمَّا ٱلۡيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقۡهَرۡ ٩ وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنۡهَرۡ ١٠ وَأَمَّا بِنِعۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثۡ ١١

Did He not find you (O Muhammad, pbuh) an orphan and gave you a refuge? And He found you unaware and guided you? And He found you poor, and made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment)? Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression; And repulse not the beggar; And proclaim the Grace of your Lord.

Surah 93 Ad-Duha Verses 6-11

أَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ ١ فَذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِي يَدُعُّ ٱلۡيَتِيمَ ٢ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ ٱلۡمِسۡكِينِ ٣ فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ ٤ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَن صَلَاتِهِمۡ سَاهُونَ ٥ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ يُرَآءُونَ ٦ وَيَمۡنَعُونَ ٱلۡمَاعُونَ ٧

Have you seen him who denies Ad Din? That is he who repulses the orphan. And urges not on the feeding of Al-Miskin. So, woe to those performers of Salat. Those who with their Salah are Sahun. Those who do good only to be seen (of men). And withhold Al-Maun.

Surah 107 Al-Maun Verses 1-7

• Ad Din – here refers to the Hereafter, the Recompense and the Final Reward
• ‘sahun’ – this refers to:

• Hypocrites who pray in public but do not pray in private
• People who pray and adhere to the prayer yet they are mindless of it
• Not performing prayer in its stipulated time that has been legislated by Islam.
• Not fulfilling its pillars and conditions
• Not performing it with humility and contemplation of its meanings

Whoever has any characteristic of this then a portion of the Ayah applies to him. And whoever has all of these, then he has completed his share of this Ayah, and the hypocrisy of actions is fulfilled in him

• In a Sahih the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘This is the prayer of the hypocrite. This is the prayer of the hypocrite. This is the prayer of the hypocrite. He sits watching the sun until it is between the two horns of the Shaytan. Then he stands and pecks four (Rakahs) and he does not remember Allah (in them) except very little’
• ‘those who do good only to be seen’ – narrated Abu Yazid (on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Whoever tries to make the people hear of his deed, Allah, the One who hears His creation, will hear it and make him despised and degraded’
• Maun – it is used to mean small, common items of daily use (like pots, axes, scales, salt, water etc which people borrow from one another in daily life). It is also interpreted to mean Zakah; in a sense Zakah carries the same meaning – a small amount of one’s riches is given to help the poor. Ibn Abi Hatim said that the highest degree of Maun is Zakah, while it’s lowest is to lend a pot or a needle or thread to someone. Denying Maun out of miserliness is bad manners. For people do return them intact. The abiding message of the Surah is that the rejection of the Hereafter degrades and demeans man so much that he is not willing to do even a small favour to help his fellow human beings

END OF CHAPTER