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Orphans, the poor, elders and anyone left out

Mercy to the weak

Islam measures a community by how it treats the people who cannot repay it. The Prophet ﷺ was himself an orphan, held up two fingers to show how close the carer of an orphan stands to him, called the one striving for a widow and the poor like a warrior, and said the one who does not show mercy to our young and respect to our elders is not one of us. These five lessons give children practical mercy: including the child nobody sits with, carrying something for an elder, giving from their own pocket money. Every point carries its ayah or hadith reference.

A large cream clay hand sheltering a small green clay sapling on a sage clay platform
Two equal cream clay pillars standing right next to each other on a sage clay base beside a gold clay house

Lesson 1 · Yatim · ages 8-11

Beside him ﷺ like two fingers

The Prophet ﷺ said that he and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this — and joined his two fingers together.

  1. The hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ said: I and the person who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this — and he joined his index and middle fingers.

  2. He ﷺ was an orphan

    The Prophet ﷺ lost his father before birth and his mother as a small child, so Allah addresses the orphan gently in the Qur'an.

  3. Allah's warning

    Allah says do not treat the orphan harshly, and forbids consuming an orphan's property unjustly.

  4. Caring is not only money

    Time, kindness, including them in games, remembering their name — all of it counts as looking after.

  5. In your class too

    There may be a child with one parent or none nearby; being their friend is this hadith in action.

Surah Ad-Dhuhaa · 93:9

فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

Fa am mal yateema fala taqhar

“So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].”

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:10

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًۭا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًۭا

Innal lazeena yaakuloona amwaalal yataamaa zulman innamaa yaakuloona fee butoonihim Naaranw-wa sayaslawna sa'eeraa

“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze.”

Surah Al-Baqara · 2:220

فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۗ وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ ۖ قُلْ إِصْلَاحٌۭ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌۭ ۖ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ ٱلْمُصْلِحِ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَعْنَتَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ

Fid dunyaa wal aakhirah; wa yas'aloonaka 'anil yataamaa qul islaahullahum khayr, wa in tukhaalitoohum fa ikhwaanukum; wallaahu ya'lamul mufsida minalmuslih; wa law shaaa'al laahu la-a'natakum; innal laaha 'Azeezun Hakeem

“To this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you about orphans. Say, "Improvement for them is best. And if you mix your affairs with theirs - they are your brothers. And Allah knows the corrupter from the amender. And if Allah had willed, He could have put you in difficulty. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

“I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this, putting his index and middle fingers together.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 5304

Do this before next time

Find out one way your family can support an orphan sponsorship and ask to give from your own money.

A cream clay basket of bread and dates set on the sage clay doorstep of a small cream clay house

Lesson 2 · Sadaqah · ages 12-15

Striving for the widow and the poor

The Prophet ﷺ said the one who works for a widow or a poor person is like a warrior striving in Allah's path.

  1. The hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ said the one who strives for the widow and the poor is like the warrior in the way of Allah.

  2. Effort, not only cash

    'Strives' means carrying, shopping, fixing, visiting — work done with your hands and time.

  3. Allah names them in the Qur'an

    Feeding the poor, the orphan and the captive is described as feeding for Allah's sake alone.

  4. Do not make anyone beg

    Offer before being asked, and never make someone feel small for needing help.

  5. Regular beats occasional

    A small monthly amount that never stops helps a family more than one big gift.

Surah Al-Insaan · 76:8

وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا

Wa yut''imoonat ta'aama 'alaa hubbihee miskeenanw wa yatemanw wa aseeraa

“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,”

Surah Al-Insaan · 76:9

إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا

Innaamaa nut'imukum li wajhil laahi laa nureedu minkum jazaaa'anw wa laa shukooraa

“[Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.”

Surah Al-Baqara · 2:177

۞ لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

Laisal birra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibalal mashriqi walmaghribi wa laakinnal birra man aamana billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri wal malaaa 'ikati wal kitaabi wan nabiyyeena wa aatalmaala 'alaa hubbihee zawilqurbaa walyataa maa walmasaakeena wabnas sabeeli wassaaa'ileena wa firriqaabi wa aqaamas salaata wa aataz zakaata walmoofoona bi ahdihim izaa 'aahadoo wasaabireena fil baasaaa'i waddarraaa'i wa heenal baas; ulaaa'ikal lazeena sadaqoo wa ulaaa 'ika humul muttaqoon

“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”

“The one who strives on behalf of the widow and the poor person is like the warrior in the way of Allah.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 5353

Do this before next time

Do one hour of real work for a neighbour who needs help, and refuse any payment.

A small cream clay hand and a large wrinkled cream clay hand resting together on a gold clay cane

Lesson 3 · Rahmah · ages 5-7

Mercy to the young, respect to elders

The Prophet ﷺ said the one who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders is not one of us.

  1. The hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ said: he is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.

  2. Mercy to the small

    Not scaring, not mocking, not shoving younger children — sharing and being gentle instead.

  3. Respect to the old

    Greeting first, giving up your seat, speaking slowly and clearly, carrying their bag.

  4. Grandparents come first

    The elders closest to you are your own family — visit, phone, and listen to their stories.

  5. Mercy is a sign of iman

    The hadith says the person without it is 'not one of us' — mercy is not optional decoration.

Surah Al-Israa · 17:23

۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا

Wa qadaa Rabbuka allaa ta'budooo illaaa iyyaahu wa bilwaalidaini ihsaanaa; immaa yablughanna 'indakal kibara ahaduhumaaa aw kilaahumaa falaa taqul lahumaaa uffinw wa laa tanharhumaa wa qullahumaa qawlan kareemaa

“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.”

Surah Al-Israa · 17:24

وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًۭا

Wakhfid lahumaa janaahaz zulli minar rahmati wa qur Rabbir hamhumaa kamaa rabbayaanee sagheera

“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."”

“He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.”

Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1919

Do this before next time

Do one helpful thing for someone much older and one for someone much younger than you today.

A modest cream clay house with a warm gold clay glow in its windows on a sage clay hill

Lesson 4 · Bayt · ages 8-11

The best house among the Muslims

The Prophet ﷺ said the best house among the Muslims is the one in which an orphan is treated well, and the worst is the one where an orphan is treated badly.

  1. The hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ said the best house among the Muslims is the house in which an orphan is treated well, and the worst house is the one in which an orphan is treated badly.

  2. A house is judged by its guests

    Not by its size or its furniture, but by how the weakest person inside it is treated.

  3. Fostering and hosting

    Many Muslim families take in a relative's child; the sunnah honours that above almost anything.

  4. Do not remind them

    Treating someone well and then mentioning your favour spoils it — Allah warns against that.

  5. Your own home counts

    How your household treats a visiting cousin, a helper or a guest is this hadith being tested.

Surah Al-Baqara · 2:264

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌۭ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٌۭ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلْدًۭا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍۢ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tubtiloo sadaqaatikum bilmanni wal azaa kallazee yunfiqu maalahoo ri'aaa'an naasi wa laa yu'minu billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri famasaluhoo kamasali safwaanin 'alaihi turaabun fa asaabahoo waabilun fatara kahoo saldaa; laa yaqdiroona 'alaa shai'im mimmaa kasaboo; wallaahu laa yahdil qawmal kaafireen

“O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”

Surah Al-Fajr · 89:17

كَلَّا ۖ بَل لَّا تُكْرِمُونَ ٱلْيَتِيمَ

Kalla bal laa tukrimooo nal yateem

“No! But you do not honor the orphan”

“The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are badly treated.”

Sunan Ibn Majah 3679

Do this before next time

Ask your parents who in your extended family needs help most, and make one plan together for them.

A small cupped cream clay hand raised towards a gold clay beam of light through sage clay clouds

Lesson 5 · Du'a · ages 12-15

Why Allah listens to the weak

The Prophet ﷺ told Sa'd that Allah gives victory to this ummah because of its weak ones — their duas, prayers and sincerity.

  1. The hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ said: Allah helps this ummah because of its weak ones — through their supplication, their prayer and their sincerity.

  2. So never look down

    The person you think has nothing may be the reason your community is protected.

  3. Ask them to make dua

    Asking a poor, ill or elderly Muslim to make dua for you is a sunnah-minded thing to do.

  4. Allah is with the humble

    Allah tells the Prophet ﷺ not to turn away those who call upon their Lord morning and evening.

  5. Being weak is not shameful

    Weakness before Allah is exactly the position every believer should stand in.

Surah Al-Kahf · 18:28

وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًۭا

Wasbir nafsaka ma'al lazeena yad'oona Rabbahum bilghadaati wal'ashiyyi yureedoona Wajhahoo wa laa ta'du 'aynaaka 'anhum tureedu zeenatal hayaatid dunyaa wa laa tuti' man aghfalnaa qalbahoo 'an zikrinaa wattaba'a hawaahu wa kaana amruhoo furutaa

“And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.”

Surah Al-An'aam · 6:52

وَلَا تَطْرُدِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ مَا عَلَيْكَ مِنْ حِسَابِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ وَمَا مِنْ حِسَابِكَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَتَطْرُدَهُمْ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Wa laa tatrudil lazeena yad'oona Rabbahum bilghadaati wal 'ashiyyi yureedoona Wajhahoo ma 'alaika min hisaabihim min shai'inw wa maa min hisaabika 'alaihim min shai'in fatatrudahum fatakoona minaz zaalimeen

“And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His countenance. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers.”

“Allah only helps this nation because of their weak ones, their supplication, their prayer, and their sincerity.”

Sunan an-Nasa'i 3178

Do this before next time

Ask an elderly or unwell Muslim you know to make dua for you, and thank them properly.

Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path

Next on this shelf: Family & kinship — 5 lessons.

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