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Friday 31 March 2017

RIGHTS OF AN ORPHAN IN ISLAM by IMAM YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI




 
THE 113TH   KHUTBAH ON RIGHTS OF AN ORPHAN IN ISLAM  AT AREA 10 JUMA’AH MASJID ABUJA, BY IMAM YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI, ON 31ST  MARCH 2017/ 3RD RAJAB  1438 AFTER HIJRA

TOPIC: RIGHTS OF AN ORPHAN IN ISLAM
                             
 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
To proceed; My dear respected brothers and sisters in Islam, today’s khutbah centered on the rights of an orphan in Islam.
An orphan is a child who has lost his father or both his parents before the age of maturity. Islam as a universal way of living that covers all aspects of life, one of its teachings is the rights the of children to be protected, most especially those are less privileged and   orphans. Quran and sunnah of the prophet (SAW) are very clear concerning the issue of orphans living in
the muslaim community are to be well raised and protected, to be taken care of physically, financially, educationally, psychologically and emotionally. Anyone, whom Allah (SWT) has chosen to be the guardian of an orphan must be steadfast and must give these rights to the child to receive the great reward prepared for those taking care of them.
Some of the verses and ahadith on reward of taking care of orphans includes:
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
[Q2:268]          
1.      Securing the ticket of high place in paradise : The messenger of Allah was reported to have said "I and the caretaker of the orphan will enter Paradise together like this, raising (by way of illustration) his forefinger and middle finger jointly, leaving no space in between." [Saheeh al-Bukhaari].

2.      Angels prayers to the giver:"No day pass upon [Allah's] servants without two angels descending [to Earth]. One of them says, 'O Allah, give recompense (khalaf) to those who give [charity]!'; the other says, 'O Allah give loss (talaf) to those who withhold [charity]!'" Bukhari and Muslim.


3.      Removing difficulties and complications in this world and here after
"Whoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Judgment" [Saheeh Muslim].
4.      Happiness and protection is granted to those giving out to less privileged and orphans; Allah (SWT) “..And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah . We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day severe and distressful."So Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them sparkle and happiness” Q76: 8-12

5.      Robing the head of an orphan soften one’s heart: A man once came to the Messenger of Allah, (SAW) and complained that he feels hardness in his heart. The Messenger of Allah said,  "Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need? Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat. This will soften your heart, and enable you to get what you need." [At-Tabaraanee & As-Silsilah as-Saheehah]
6.      One of the 16 signs of Righteousness: Allah (SWT) says: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous”.2:177 and He says: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful". Q4:36

7.      Injustice and oppression to orphans brings severe punishment in this world as well as in the Hereafter: Allah (SWT) says: “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan, And does not encourage the feeding of the poor. Q107: 1-3 and He Says: “ And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember”.Q6152
8.      Those consume orphans’ wealth are consuming hell fire: “Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze”.  Q.4:10
SOME OF THE RIGHTS OF AN ORPHAN IN ISLAM
1. The right of custody: this covers what the child needs from the time of birth,like breast feeding,food, care, medical,clothes,and emotional aspects relating to mercy,  affection and all what he needs to be safe and secured emotionally.
2. The right to being raised: Every child holds the right to being raised by either a mother (if alive) or by any responsible person who will serve as a guide. It entails caring for the child both emotionally and physically. Children must be nurtured, loved, care for. They must be taught good Islamic morals, disciplined and taught to differentiate right from wrong. This is to ensure that the child grows up to become a good member of society who will benefit the people around him positively and that includes:
A- teaching an  orphan the values of Islam and the performance of his religious Islamic duties, by setting a good example.
B- avoiding excessive spoiling, roughness, or weakness, as well as not preferring a child over the other.
C- the fulfillment of their emotional needs, by offering the proper care,love, and guidance suitable for every stage of childhood.
D- to remember that the negative behavior of the adult is a product of his childhood experiences.  Take not of that.
3- the right of child support: child support means food, clothing, housing, education, and medical attention.
4- The inheritance right: as long as all children are entitled to inherent their parents, the orphan is worthy as well if not more worthy.
If the parents of the orphan left behind property, it is absolutely important that the guardian of that child keeps it until the child is of age, and give it to him. One should never use what belongs to the orphan except if he intends to invest it into something that will benefit the child when he comes of age. Whatever happens, the orphan must be given every dime of what is his. Wrongfully consuming the property of orphans incurs the wrath of Allah.
“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire and they will be burned in a blaze.” (Qur’an. Al-nisa. 10)
“And give to the orphans their property, and do not substitute worthless (things) for (their) good (ones) and do not devour their property (as an addition) to your own property; this is surely a great sin.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4:2)
3. The right to child support: This includes the right to education, clothing, feeding, shelter, and healthcare. “And they feed for the love of ALLAH, the poor, the orphans, and the captive” (Qur’an, Al-Nisa.8). A parent can never be replaced, but as Muslims, we can still give these children the best we can. Allah knows why he chose to make someone an orphan, and why he chooses you to be the guardian of that child. Have sound iman and remember that Allah is ever seeing, all hearing of what we do. Indeed, there is great reward for taking care of an orphan.
CURRENT SITUATION OF ORPHANS IN THE NORTH EAST
We most appreciate Government for crushing the insurgence and bringing peace to Nigeria but in the other hand, There are more than forty thousand 40, 000 orphans ranging from age 6-12 years across the three affected state viz: Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state living no parents, no quality education and no any ascertain future, These children some of theme witness when their parent are being, beaten, crushed, killed, mal-treat or even slaughtered. These children both muslim and Christian among them need to be well trained, properly raised to change their negative, thinking toward their people and community. The situation is beyond setting IDPs and giving food assistance, sometime will reach and sometimes would be diverted by selfish and hearted less officials.
OUR RESPONSIBLTY TOWARDS ORPHANS IN AND OUTSITE IDPs
In orders to eradicate this timing bomb, all hands most be on deck, Government and private organizations should intensified their efforts toward education and future of these children, our religious leaders and traditional rulers should mobilize and sensitized their people on the gravity of this issue, individuals and well to do among us should wake-up from their sleeping as matter of urgency to think and re-think of the way out, not talking; or blaming game but actions and way out,  committees for  lasting solutions need to be set up at various levels not only in the 3 states but in the nation at large.

Finally, May Allah SWT forgive me where I erred and may HE guide and protect our Iman .




Contact: yahyalyolawi@gmail.com

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