'I and the man who brings up an orphan will be in paradise like this.’ And he pointed with his two fingers, the index finger and the middle finger.
Markscheme Answers:
The important teaching in this Hadith is caring for orphans. Orphans are the responsibility of the entire Muslim community and their care is the moral duty of all Muslims. For this action Muslims have been promised a great reward by God and closeness to the Prophet (pbuh) in paradise.
The Prophet (pbuh) promises a great reward in this Hadith to those who care for orphans in their own community and in the world at large. Being an orphan himself he understood the plight of orphans and not only showed great care to them himself but instructed the umma to show kindness towards them. The Qur’an too speaks of the good treatment of orphans; in Sura 93:9 it is said, ‘Treat not the orphan with harshness’.
One of the most repeated messages in the Hadiths is about the care of the vulnerable in society. In this Hadith too, the Prophet (pbuh) is emphasising to his umma to look after the most vulnerable members of the community, the orphans, he promises his close company in the akhira to those who fulfil this obligation. The wider teaching of the Hadith is that there should be unity amongst Muslims and no member of the community should be left behind.
It is stressed on helping the orphans. If a Muslim brings up an orphan properly, he would be with the Holy Prophet(s) as the two fingers, the index and middle. “The best Muslim house is that in which an orphan is well treated and the worst Muslim house is that in which an orphan is ill treated”. The financial & moral help must be provided to the orphan. Allah has promised Paradise for such a believer.
From Abu Hurairah r.a. : Rasulullah s.a.w. said : "The best house among Muslim is the house which orphan is well treated and the worst house among the Muslim is the house in which an orphan is badly treated".
<aside> 💡 One of the most repeated messages in the Hadiths is about the care of the vulnerable in society, especially the orphan. The Prophet, being an orphan himself, understood the plight of orphans and not only showed great care to them himself but instructed the umma to show kindness towards them and he promises his close company in the akhira to those who fulfil this obligation. The Qur’an too speaks of the good treatment of orphans; in Sura Dhuha it is said, ‘Treat not the orphan with harshness’. The wider teaching of the Hadith is that there should be unity amongst Muslims and no member of the community should be left behind.
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Markscheme Answers:
By providing food, shelter and financial assistance to orphans is how the Hadith can be applied to everyday life. Candidates could put forward different practical examples of how assistance can be given to orphans by way of development of their answer.
Care for orphans can be shown in a variety of ways. A Muslim can provide them with food, shelter and financial assistance. If the orphan’s father was in debt, the debt can be exonerated or dowries for Muslim girls of marriageable ages could be provided. Even good advice can be given to them if a person cannot give support financially. Examples will help develop the answer.
Every Muslim must do what they can to ease the burden of those in need. Organising Muslim charities to provide for refugees in war torn areas of the world, giving a home to an orphan, even supporting an orphan or any vulnerable person emotionally is a way in which this Hadith can be practised. Examples from the time of the Prophet (pbuh) or present day could be given here
The Holy Prophet(s) was himself an orphan, he was brought up by his uncle who gave him full support. A Muslim should treat the orphans with kindness. An orphan who is helpless and dependent should be taken into custody and care. Treatment of an orphan is a matter which can make him blessed by Allah's pleasure or displeasure. We shall be kind to the orphans, Provide them good dress and food. Holy Prophet(s) once gave new clothes of Imam Hassan, and Hussain to two orphan children on Eid day.
<aside> 💡 Every Muslim must do what they can to ease the burden of those in need. An orphan who is helpless and dependent should be taken into custody and care. A Muslim can provide them with food, shelter and financial assistance indirectly by donating to Muslim charities to provide for refugees in war torn areas of the world. Even good advice can be given to them if a person cannot give support financially.
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