The Messenger (saw) said that when two people love each other for God’s sake and by His leave then He will make them like so in the Highest Heaven. It is as if the love referred to here is because of evident dissimilarity, that in spite of it all, they would go miles for one another. And be there for one another.
Then when the Messenger (saw) said that the one who shelters and feeds the orphan child that he will be like that with him. Take a second to reflect on that.
In fact reread the above paragraph again, replacing the Messenger (saw) as one of those two.
Irrespective of your dissimilarity, irrespective of your mistakes and we all have them, the Messenger (saw) is holding a door wide open for you to be that close to him, simply by showing love and affection and taking care of the orphans from whom you cannot gain.
Then isn’t it a shame that we worry about the legality of it all.
Be like the fighters at Badr when they were told that Heaven lies beneath the shadow of swords, threw away their date fruits as an incumbrance from something far greater.
Throw away your scruples and do the right thing.
And remember the whole of the Muslim family can trace the ancestry of each, and everyone, of us directly to Ibrahim (as), a more near relation than that of Adam, the father of mankind. For did not God, the Most Merciful, call him (Ibrahim) our father is Surah Hajj (see the last verses).
And a relation that God makes, let no one doubt.
So if any has not a father, or his/her father is absent, then remember that God has declared that her/his father is the father of the Prophets, the friend of God, Ibrahim (as).
And do not treat them unjustly.
Treat each with loving care.
And never abandon them, nor shut any door off from them.
And if you can’t house an orphan then, like me, sponsor them and care for those who are near to you. For God loves most those charities that are little but often done.
In the month of Ramadan our charitable acts are even more blessed. So take advantage of that blessing. And show even more care, love and affection.
Shafees
S Hajj, v78
ReplyDeleteAbikum Ibrahim-
Lit... your father Ibrahim.
Referring to the whole of the Muslim Nation.
TMQ “And strive hard in Allah's Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islamic Monotheism). It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), give Zakat and hold fast to Allah [i.e. have confidence in Allah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!”
In this one verse we see what it means to be Muslim (5 pillars), that we are commanded to strive and then also to deal justly and truthfully with all other Nations.