Mercy to Orphans

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Contents

How would looking after an orphan help me? Action plan Coming up

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Showing mercy to orphans by enveloping them in our love and care not only raises humility within us, but it also allows us to help one of the most vulnerable types of people in our societies.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had lost both of his parents at a young age, rendering him an orphan. As a result of this, he (ﷺ) understood the colossal struggles that an orphan would have to go through in life.

How would looking after an orphan help me?

One day, whilst in discussion with his companions, he (ﷺ) informed them of some of the life-changing effects of displaying kindness and mercy to orphans:

أَدْنِ الْيَتِيمَ مِنْكَ وَامْسَحْ بِرَأْسِهِ وَأَطْعِمْهُ مِنْ طَعَامِكَ يَلِنْ قَلْبُكَ وَتَقْدِرْ عَلَى حَاجَتِكَ

“Bring the orphan close to you, pat his head, and feed him with the same food you eat. It will soften your heart and fulfil your need.” [1]

From this report, we learn that through being in the aid and support of orphaned children, we are bringing about more benefit to ourselves than we are to them!

Action plan

The core objective behind fasting in this blessed month is to cultivate piety. As we try to make spiritual change, let’s make the caring of orphans one of our goals with the hopes of our hearts softening as a result.

Here are a few things we can do throughout the remainder of this month:

If there are any orphans we know of within our social circles, we should prepare iftar(s) for them out of mercy and kindness;
There are many trustworthy charities that aim to empower orphans through: providing them with accommodation, clothing, and education. We can donate to these charities in the last nights with the aim of acting upon the Prophet’s advice (ﷺ).