Islam Protects the Rights of Orphans

Orphans

An orphan is an individual who has  not attained puberty or adulthood and has lost a biological parent. Some people use the term ‘half-orphan’ to refer to a child who has lost just one parent only using the general word ‘orphan’ in reference to a child who has lost both parents. 

Whatever be the case, individuals who happen to find themselves bearing the tag ‘orphan’ have continued to face the same problems from generation to generation up to the present day. Orphans through the centuries have continued to face two major problems, namely:

(a) deprivation from inheritance and 

(b) abuse by cruel relatives and the community.

These issues were remedied by Islam which is the reason why there was no such a place as an ‘orphanage’ in the early Islamic community, there was always someone waiting on stand-by to take over the burdens of an orphan.

Deprivation from Inheritance

It has been the most likely occurrence in many climes for orphans to be denied their right to inherit from their deceased loved ones, this has led to many orphans being thrown into the jaws of poverty with a lot of them turning to crime later in life to make a living. On September 1 2005, Robyn Pharoah, a researcher with the ISS (Institute for Security Studies) published an article titled: AIDS, Orphans and Crime-Exploring the Linkages. 

The research item showed that there is some correlation between orphans left in poverty and crime. ALLAH (SWT) says in the Glorious Qur’an: 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 crime. Suratul Nisa (4:02)

In another verse, ALLAH warns with a harsher tone: (As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and they shall enter burning fire. Suratul Nisa (4:10)

Just like Muslims always say, other religions might encourage good but Islam makes it compulsory to do good by prescribing punishments for failure to do good. People found guilty of consuming the wealth of orphans are punished in Sharia Law and Islam is the only religion in the world that prescribes Hell Fire for people who devour the wealth of orphans.

Abuse by Cruel Relatives and the Community

It will be observed that the word ‘orphanage’ does not exist anywhere in Islamic history and tradition because there was no need for them. The moment a child was orphaned, there were always households willing and ready to take the child in in-order to earn reward from ALLAH. The plight of orphans and widows was the major reason Islam instituted polygeny. 

After the early battles between Muslims and pagans, a lot of the martyred Muslims left behind orphans and widows, ALLAH in HIS infinite Mercy gave the Muslims a way out. “And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.” Suratul Nisa (4:3)

ALLAH (SWT) made statements in the Qur’an showing a similitude between people who maltreat orphans and disbelievers.

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. Suratul Ma’un (107:1-3)

Muhammad (SAW) also made statements showing how righteous it is to treat orphans well. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “The best house among the Muslims is the one in which an orphan is treated well. The worst house among the Muslims is the one in which an orphan is mistreated. The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be in Paradise like this,” and he held his two fingers together. (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 137)

In another Hadith, to encourage Muslims to treat orphans well Muhammad (SAW) 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]

Due to these verses and statements of ALLAH (SWT) and HIS Messenger (SAW), the early Muslim would often dispute over who should be the guardian of an orphan. After the demise of Hamza bin Abdul Mutallib, the guardianship of his daughter, Umama bint Hamza, sparked some arguments among some companions of Muhammad (SAW). Umama's relatives quarrelled over who was the correct guardian for her.  Zayd ibn Harithah based his claim on his having been Hamza's "brother in Islam". Ja'far ibn Abi Talib claimed Umama on the grounds that he was married to her mother’s sister. Ali said that he took priority because it had been his idea to bring Umama to Medina. Muhammad settled the quarrel in favour of Ja'far because a girl cannot marry her aunt's husband. 

We see that Islam creates a situation whereby people crave to have an orphan in their care. Muhammad (SAW) himself took care of orphans. 

When Abu Salama passed away, Muhammad (SAW) proposed to Umm Salama (the widow of Abu Salama). She told him that she had three reservations regarding his proposal. She was hot-headed and had a temper; she felt she might be rude to the Prophet of Allah (SAW), and thus lose the reward for all her good deeds. Secondly, she was an elderly lady; thirdly, she had many children. Muhammad (SAW) answered that he would pray to Allah, and Allah willing, her temper would subside. As far as age was concerned, he was also an elderly man. Thirdly, as far as her children were concerned - that was the precise reason for proposing to her - he wished to be their guardian and share the responsibility. 

From these facts we see that with pristine Islam in practice, an orphan might cry out of sorrow for losing a parent but never from fear of deprivation.

Thabit ibn Qays (The Prophet’s Spokesman)

Thabit ibn Qays was a chieftain of the Khazraj tribe and therefore, a man of considerable influence in Madina. He was known for the sharpness of his mind and the power of his oratory. It was because of this that he became the khatib or the spokesman and orator of the Prophet and Islam in general. 

He embraced Islam at the hands of Musab ibn Umayr whose cool and persuasive logic and the sweetness and beauty of his Quran recital proved irresistible. 

When the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Madinah, Thabit and a great gathering of horsemen gave him a warm and enthusiastic welcome. Thabit acted as their spokesman and delivered a speech in the presence of the Prophet and his companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. He began by giving praise to God Almighty and invoking peace and blessings on His Prophet and ended up by saying: "We give our pledge to you, O Messenger of God, that we would protect you from all that we protect ourselves, our children and our wives. 

What would then be our reward for this?" The speech was reminiscent of words spoken at the second Pledge of Aqabah and the Prophet's reply as then was the same: "Al-Jannah - Paradise!" When the Madinites heard the word "al-Jannah" their faces beamed with Joy and excitement and their response was: "We are pleased, O Messenger of God! We are pleased, O Messenger of God." From that day on the Prophet (SAW) made Thabit ibn Qays his Khatib, just as Hassan ibn Thabit was his poet. 

When delegations of Arabs came to him to show off their brilliance in verse and the strength of their oratory skills, the Prophet (SAW) would call upon Thabit ibn Qays to challenge their orators and Hassan ibn Thabit to vaunt his verses before their poets. In the Year of the Delegations, the ninth after the Hijrah, tribes from all over the Arabian Peninsula came to Madinah to pay homage to the Prophet (SAW), either to announce their acceptance of Islam or to pay jizyah in return for the protection of the Muslim state. One of these was a delegation from the tribe of Tamim who said to the Prophet: "We have come to show our prowess to you. Do give permission to our Shaif and our Khatib to speak." The Prophet (SAW) smiled and said: "I permit your Khatib. Let him speak."

Their orator, Utarid ibn Hajib, got up and held forth on the greatness and achievements of their tribe and when he was finished the Prophet summoned Thabit ibn Qays and said: "Stand and reply to him." Thabit rose and said: "Praise be to God Whose creation is the entire heavens and the earth wherein His will has been made manifest. His Throne is the extent of His knowledge and there is nothing which does not exist through His grace. Through His power He has made us leaders and from the best of His creation He has chosen a Messenger who is the most honorable of men in lineage, the most reliable and true in speech and the most excellent in deeds. He has revealed to him a book and chosen him as a leader of His creation. Among all creation, he is a blessing of God. He summoned people to have faith in Him. The Emigrants from among his people and his relations who are the most honorable people in esteem and the best in deeds believed in him. Then, we the Ansar (Helpers) were the first people to respond (to his call for support). So we are the Helpers of God and the ministers of His Messenger."

He was especially sensitive and cautious of saying or doing anything that would incur the wrath of God Almighty. One day the Prophet saw him looking not just sad but dejected and afraid. His shoulders were hunched and he was actually cringing from fear. "What's wrong with you, O Abu Muhammad?" asked the Prophet. "I fear that I might be destroyed, O Messenger of God," he said. "And why?" asked the Prophet. "Almighty ALLAH has prohibited us from desiring to be praised for what we did not do but I find myself liking praise. He has prohibited us from being proud and I find myself tending towards vanity." 

This was the time when the verse of the Quran was revealed: "Indeed, God does not love any arrogant boaster." Suratul Lukman (31:18)

The Prophet (SAW) then tried to calm his anxieties and allay his fears and eventually said to him: "O Thabit, aren't you pleased to live as someone who is praised, and to die as a martyr and to enter Paradise?" Thabit's face beamed with happiness and joy as he said: "Certainly, O Messenger of God." "Indeed, that shall be yours," replied the noble Prophet. 

There was another occasion when Thabit became sad and crest-fallen, when the words of the Quran were revealed: "O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet and neither speak loudly to him as you would speak loudly to one another, lest all your deeds come to naught without your perceiving it." Suratul Hujarat (49:2)

On hearing these words, Thabit kept away from the meetings and gatherings of the Prophet in spite of his great love for him and his hitherto constant presence in his company. He stayed in his house without ever leaving it except for the performance of the obligatory Salat. The Prophet (SAW) missed his presence and asked for information about him. A man from the Ansar volunteered and went to Thabit's house. He found Thabit sitting in his house, sad and dejected.

"What's the matter with you?" asked the man. "It's bad," replied Thabit. "You know that I am a man with a loud voice and that my voice is far louder than that of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. And you know what has been revealed in the Quran. The only result for me is that my deeds will come to naught and I will be among the people who go to the fire of hell." 

The man returned to the Prophet and told him what he had seen and heard and the Prophet instructed him to return to Thabit and say: "You are not among the people who will go to the fire of hell but you will be among the people of Paradise." Such was the tremendously good news with which Thabit ibn Qays was blessed. 

The incidents showed how alive and sensitive he was to the Prophet and the commands of Islam and his readiness to observe the letter and the spirit of its laws. He subjected himself to the most stringent self-criticism. His was a God-fearing and penitent heart which trembled and shook through the fear of God. 

Thabit bin Qays was martyred in the battle of Yamamah in 12 A.H.

Research: Ruku and Sujud Can Cure Back Ache

Muslim man in Sujud position

As Muslims have been told severally, every single thing that has been commanded in the Qur’an and Sunnah of Muhammad (SAW) is to the benefit of mankind. Another piece of evidence to that effect surfaced last week when a Professor at Binghamton University, Muhammad Khasawneh, published his findings which showed that performing the Ruku and Sujud postures of Salah (Muslim prayer) properly created certain pressures in the lower back which improves the elasticity of joints in the region. Researchers analysed statistics based on the movements of computer-generated digital human images of healthy Indian, Asian, and American men and women, and models with lower back pain. According to Khasawneh, "The maximum compression forces created during prayer postures is much lower than National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) safety limits, and the movements can be safely considered a clinical treatment for low back pain, as it requires different movements of the human body on a regular basis. The kneeling posture (sujud) increases the elasticity of joints. It is recommended for these individuals to spend more time in the kneeling posture". Professor Muhammad Khasawneh’s findings have been published in the International Journal of Systems Engineering. Present era scientific researches have shown the health benefits of Islamic practices such as fasting long hours over several days.

The Statement of Ali bin Abu Talib Can Play Out in Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari

Even though the Sahabah (Companions of Prophet Muhammad) were not prophets, they lived with the Prophet (SAW) and learnt a lot from him. Those who were bereft of wisdom became wise and those who were wise had their wisdom confirmed by ALLAH (SWT) in different verses of the Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (SAW). 

For instance, ALLAH talked about Abu Bakr Siddique in the Qur’an, “If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they both [Muhammad and Abu Bakr] were in the cave, and he said to his companion [Abu Bakr]: "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His calmness upon him, and strengthened him with forces which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." Suratul Tawbah (9:40)

The Prophet (SAW) talked about Mu’adh bin Jabal’s outstanding wisdom in matters relating to haram and halal; the Prophet (SAW) said, "The most knowledgeable of my ummah in matters of halal and haram is Muadh ibn Jabal."

So many other instances abound when talking about the stamped and approved wisdom of the Sahabah which means it will be wise to pay attention to their sayings and actions.

In a historic letter written by Ali bin Abu Talib to his then governor in Egypt, Malik  Ashtar, advising him on the qualities of a leader, among the things Ali said was: 

“Beware! Abstain from shedding blood without a valid cause. There is nothing more harmful than this which brings about one's ruin. The blood that is willfully shed shortens the life of a state. On the Day of Judgment it is this crime for which one will have to answer first. So, beware! Do not wish to build the strength of your state on blood; for, it is this blood which ultimately weakens the state and passes it on to other hands. Before me and my God no excuse for willful killing can be entertained.” 

This statement is the pillar of this write-up.

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on the 29^th of April 2015 with great delight in the hearts of majority of Nigerians, hopes were high and for a moment it greatly felt like the hopes were not misplaced. 

The major problems facing Nigeria talking about poor power supply, long ques at filling stations, security challenges, e.t.c. began to fade away. 

Then on one unfaithful day it was all over the news that over a thousand Shiites comprising of women, girls, children and the elderly had been killed by Nigerian soldiers because some Shiites prevented top military officials from passing through a road. After the soldiers gunned down those who were present to block the road, they went back at night to kill their relatives and demolish their houses and places of worship. 

The soldiers were praised by both Muslims and Christians alike with most of the praises coming from Muslims. A lot of Nigerian Muslims identifying as Sunnis were happy basically due to the historic Sunni-Shia rivalry. Christians on the other hand were happy due to the Muslim-Christian rivalry. 

What followed the December 12^th 2015 massacre were skirmishes and crack-downs by Nigerian security personnel and Sunnis leading to the death, abuse and detention of hundreds of Shiites. A trend followed the onslaught which many are either too arrogant to accept or too blind to see. 

The progress of the Buhari administration began to dwindle; the blackouts resumed, boko haram returned, fuel and food prices soared like never before and to crown it up-Buhari’s health deteriorated. 

The popularity of Muhammadu Buhari and his party, APC has crashed and so many supporters have become ex-supporters. The strong feeling in the air in Nigeria currently is that Buhari and APC will not return to power come 2023. 

This will not be strange to people who read and think because it will be in-line with what Ali bin Abu Talib said. 

It is worthy to note that this scenario also played itself out in the administration of late Musa Yar’adua when Nigerian soldiers and Police killed scores of civilians in the name of fighting boko haram. 

Yar’adua did not live to see the end of his tenure, the land moved from his hands to the hands of others (from the hands of the Muslims to the hands of the non-Muslims) as a result of which Muslims paid a high price. 

In this statement of Ali bin Abu Talib however, it was not stated how the power shift will occur, it is therefore left to us to observe our communities and figure that out. There is however a remedy to the current impasse in the country. 

The administration of Muhammadu Buhari must own-up to the fact that the Nigerian soldiers transgressed in Zaria on December 12^th 2015 and people must be brought to book. 

The administration must compensate the victims of these acts of abuse and finally; the administration must heed to the court decision to free the Shiites it has in captivity including their leader-Ibrahim Zakzaky.

This write-up is just an advice and as it is with pieces of advice, they can be taken and they can be rejected. Whatever is decided, time will tell.

I will like to leave the reader with this quote from the Glorious Qur'an:

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do." 

Suratul Ma'idah (5:8)

Juwayriyyah Bint al-Harith (The One Who Benefitted Her People)

The Prophet (SAW) named her Juwayriyyah himself. Before this, her name was Barrah. The Prophet (SAW) on a number of occasions changed the names of people when they embraced Islam to more reasonable ones. He did this so that his Companions would shun anything which was related to the time of ignorance. The Prophet (SAW) disliked that a person should praise himself and the name ‘Barrah’ is derived from the term birr, which means righteousness. How then can a person be openly called "righteous"^[1]? The Prophet