The status in Islam, of the weak, underprivileged, needy of community

THE Holy Qur’aan constantly highlights and emphasises the need for each and everyone whom Allah has bestowed with any of His bounties, to be considerate of and generous towards those who may be less privileged or in a state of need.

The circumstances of need may differ from category to category — like orphans, widows, elderly, sick, needy, etc — but the underlying factor is that man should not remain indifferent to the plight of these sections of community. In a sense, Islam teaches that these people have a kind of a ‘right” on the rest of community and society.

After all we are all of the same humankind and experience the same human emotions, and feelings. In the Holy Qur’aan Allah Almighty declares “Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are related, neighbours who are strangers …” (Holy Qur’aan Ch 4:v 36).

Whilst we had previously seen from this verse that the rights of parents come first then that of relatives, it is worthy to note that there are also others in community who have “rights” upon us and as previously highlighted, the categories are listed in the order of the bonds of relation that we have as well as the need that others have.

In the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammed (peace be upon him) the importance of respect for the rights of the weaker and poorer sections of society, - the orphans, the widows, the needy, the destitute and downtrodden, etc has also been stressed. To care for their needs and look after their well being has been described as a virtue of the highest order and the Prophet (pbuh) has given the tidings of a vast reward in this regard.

Caring for the orphan

According to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), the best home is the one wherein an orphan is supported and is treated in a loving and affectionate manner, and the worst is that home wherein an orphan lives and is treated badly or cruelly.

He once declared “Whoever supports an orphan from among his own or any other family, he will be as close to me in Heaven as these fingers are close to each other” It is reported that he made a motion of his index and middle fingers (while he said this) and there was only a little space between the two. This explains the status, in the Hereafter, of that bondsman who accepts the responsibility of supporting an orphan belonging either to his own family or any other family with whom he has no particular blood tie.

In fact other Prophetic teachings highlight that even if one is unable to take full care of an orphan but merely shows love and compassion, he will attain great blessing from The Almighty. The Holy Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) stated “Whoever caresses the head of an orphan (in affection), solely for the sake of The Almighty (with no ulterior motive), a good deed will be written to his account for every hair over which he passed his hand.”

Attending to the needs of the widow and the needy

The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said “Whoever strives to relieve (the distress of ) the widow and the needy, is as one who fasts continuously during the days and spends the nights in prayers (in terms of reward and blessings)”

The act of spending one’s days in fasting and nights in prayer is greatly rewardable. These acts of worship are the best in terms of drawing closer to the Almighty and serving Him, but we are taught that the same is the worth, value and reward of a person who takes pains to assist and comfort the widow or those in need – by any means like spending his wealth on them, simple acts of kindness by way of consoling words or by sincerely trying to draw the attention of others to their problems and difficulties.

Visiting and caring for the sick

The Prophet (pbuh) regularly encouraged the faithful by saying “Feed the hungry, visit the sick and free the captives.” So, besides mention of feeding the hungry —which is a deed of compassion and kind heartedness, we also note the mention of visiting the sick and obtaining the freedom of those who are (unlawfully) held in captivity. In common terms “visiting the sick” simply denotes enquiring after one’s health but the Arabic term used is in a broader sense and includes also the caring and arranging of treatment for the sick, if necessary and if one is able to do so.

The rewards and blessing for these deeds is (once again) very great, and enviable indeed is the lot of those who feel for the less fortunate and are willing to help them in any possible manner.

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Respect and honour for the elderly

In every society there are some members who are senior in age and others who are junior to them. The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) has also explained (in his teachings) what their mutual behaviour should be. This aspect of social conduct, which may appear insignificant to some people, plays an important part in promoting a happy and peaceful life, both at family and community levels.

The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have stated that “He is not of us, who is not affectionate to those who are younger than him and is not respectful to those who are older.” The occasion for this statement, as related by one of the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) was when an elderly man came to meet the Prophet (pbuh) and the people present in the gathering took some time to make way (clear a path in their midst) for him to go up to the Prophet (pbuh) they did not move quickly enough as the old person’s age would have required and the Prophet (pbuh) felt that this was a lack of respect for the elderly man.

It is extremely important that the elderly are always treated with great respect and tolerance. Anyone who professes faith in The Almighty and following His Messengers, should accord due respect and honour to the old and infirm whether they are of one’s family or not.

In a prophetic teaching we are told “For the young man who will honour an old man because of his age, The Almighty will appoint men who will honour him in his old age.”

Thus we see that, although the eventual reward for showing good manners and respect to one’s elders will be in the Hereafter from The Almighty Himself, The Almighty bestows His favours to such people in this world too.

For further information on Islam please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars, Publications Department, P. O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare. Tel: 0242614078/614004, Fax: 0242-614003. e-mail: majliszw@yahoo.com