Women in Islam - The poor and orphans from an Islamic point of view

Orphans and the poor are a very important category to be protected.  When discussing the subject of women in Islam, the most important subject to be discussed is how Islam views orphans and the poor.  Islam has built walls of protection around her, whatever the status of the woman in Islam.

The reward for protecting orphans in Islam

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once said: "I and the caretaker of the orphans are like this in Paradise."  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spread his index and middle fingers. (Bukhari)

In other words, if someone protects the orphans, he and the Prophet (peace be upon him) will be very close in Paradise.  There is no doubt that the protector of orphans will go to heaven.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also teaches us through this hadeeth that he and the Prophet will be very close.

Orphans here mean both men and women.  On many occasions, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of the blessings that come to those who take care of girls.  According to the Islamic view, girls deserve more protection than children.

From the Islamic point of view, who is poor?

Report from Hazrat Abu Hurairah.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Poor person is not the one who comes back (waytoislam.online) after getting one or two dates or a handful of food. (Muttafaqun Alaihi)

This is stated in another report by Buhari and Muslim.  "Poor man is not a beggar who thinks he can go back if he gets one or two handfuls of food or dates."

According to the Islamic view, a poor person who deserves more consideration is not one who goes begging thinking that he can go back if he gets some food or something.  A poor person is one who does not receive the required amount of money, does not declare his status in order to receive alms (swadaqa), and does not go down among the people and beg.

Does Islam encourage begging?

The Prophet and Islam never encouraged begging.  From the above hadith we can understand that Islam does not encourage begging.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reminded his followers to be content with what they have.  The reason why Islam does not encourage begging is because beggars are not included in the list of the poor who deserve special consideration.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once asked a man who came to him for supplication, "What do you have?"  He replied: "I have a blanket on my hand."  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked him to bring the blanket.  He brought it.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sold the blanket to one of his Companions.  The money received from the sale was given to the beggar.  Then he was asked to go to the forest and cut down  trees and live by selling.  After some time he made money and came back.

From this incident we can understand that Islam has never encouraged begging.

What to do to get rewarded for jihad in islam?

Report from Hazrat Abu Hurairah.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: He who works for the widows and the needy is like one who fights in the cause of Allaah.  I think the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said that he is like one who prays incessantly (swala) and fasts all the time. (Muthafaqun alaihi)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) likened protecting the poor and needy to fighting in the way of God  (If one is willing to protect them, he may face warlike crises).  

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said that he is like one who prays incessantly and fasts constantly.  In short, Islam places great importance on the protection of orphans and the poor.

What is the worst food in Islam?

Report from Hasat Abu Hurayra (ra).  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The worst meal is when the one who needs it is rejected and the one who does not need it is invited. And whoever refuses, he disobeys Allah and His Messenger.  ”(Muslim)

In our country you can see a lot of weddings and other celebrations.  They are  not giving food to the needy (without inviting him) and gives it to those who do not need it (to the rich).  According to the Islamic view, food should be given to those who need it. 

We can see a lot of people around us.  They may be getting food but not getting the food they want.  If we make any special dishes in our homes we should definitely consider them.  It is not enough to invite the rich to our homes for celebrations and weddings.  We must also invite the poor and orphans.  But only then will the food we serve become the greatest food.

In Islam, if one invites another, should one accept the invitation?

According to the Islamic view, if a Muslim invites another, he must accept the invitation (not for things that Islam forbids). 

According to the above hadith, it will become an obligatory duty on him. Prophet (s) said " Whoever refuses an invitation, (waytoislam.online)he disobeys Allah and His Messenger."

What is the reward in Islam for protecting two girls until they reach the age of puberty?

Report from Hazrat Anas ibn malik (ra).  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: " The one who protects two girls until they reach the age of puberty (waytoislam.online) and I will be like this on the Day of Resurrection." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) pointed his fingers together.  (Muslim)

The incident narrated by Ayisha (ra)

Report from Hazrat Ayisha (ra).  They said.  “ Once a woman came to me (waytoislam.online) begging for her two daughters.  I had nothing at that time except Three dates.  I gave it to her.  She distributed it to her two children.  She did not eat anything.  Then she got up and left.  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came in immediately.  I informed the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: " If anyone is tempted by these girls and thus benefits them, they will become (waytoislam.online) a cover for him from Hell " (Muttafaqun alaihi).

Poor girls are also a question mark for society.  For the rich, they are a test, and God sees what they do for the poor girls.  The hadith makes it clear that those who are willing to do something will be freed from hell.

Report from Hazrat Ayesha (ra).  She said: “A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters.  I gave them three dates to eat.  She gave one to each.  One she raised her mouth to eat.  But daughters asked for food again, she split the date, she intended to eat into two and shared it with her children.  Her case surprised me.  I told this to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that Allaah compelled her to Paradise because of this or freed her from Hell.  (Muslim) 

If a woman in Islam is poor or orphaned, it is incumbent upon others to protect her.  Even if something is done for the poor and orphans, Islam views it with great importance. May Allah include us in protecting the orphans and the poor. Ameen

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