Hudhur gave a discourse on the care and upbringing of orphans in his Friday Sermon today. Huzur recited the following Quranic verse:

 

‘And test the understanding of the orphans until they attain the age of marriage; then, if you find in them sound judgment, deliver to them their property; and devour it not in extravagance and haste against their growing up. And whoso is rich, let him abstain; and whoso is poor, let him eat thereof with equity. And when you deliver to them their property, then call witnesses in their presence. And Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner.’ (4:7). Hudhur said last week he drew attention to a Quranic commandment which, when put in practice with fear of God, is a guarantee for peaceful society. As the commandment ended on a mention of the Divine attribute of Al Hasib (The Reckoner) therein is a lesson for every Muslim that if they do not abide by expressing the greeting of security, safety and peace [Assalamoalaikum] they will be held accountable. Hudhur said carrying on with the same subject matter the second significant commandment is not only important for honouring rights of mankind but is also central to eradicating hatred from society and in spreading peace. As cited in the aforementioned verse, this commandment also ends on the mention of Al Hasib, thereby cautioning believers. The verse begins by mentioning ‘testing’ of orphans. Hudhur explained this connotes that you should be mindful of the education and training of the orphans who are entrusted in your care. Do not be negligent of them considering them alone in the world. Just as you keep a check on your own children from time to time, check on the educational and training progress of the orphans. Do not differentiate between the way you arrange for the academic training of your own children and theirs. Keep an eye on their special interests and aptitude and try to enhance their natural capacities, providing them with relevant opportunities. Orphans should never be made to feel that due to their deprivation they could not fully realise their potential or that if their parents were alive they would have been one of the high achievers. Whether the care of orphans is undertaken by individuals or on a communal level, their education and training and supervision is the responsibility of those who are in-charge of their care. This care should continue until such time that the orphans reach a marriageable age. Once reaching adulthood one can look after oneself. If the education and training of childhood has been sound, one will become a useful part of society. Hudhur explained that the verse illustrates that simply reaching a certain age does not necessarily make an orphan capable to look after the property of his parents. It is also important for him to be sound of mind and this should be ascertained. If the young person appears fine in education and general deportment then the property should be entrusted to him; it is rightfully his. However, if in spite of reaching adulthood, he does not have the mental astuteness to take care of the property, then the property should be supervised and the orphan should be given spending money in accordance to his expenses. While growing up, he should be explained monetary intricacies. Some individuals are simple in certain matters but have a good acumen of money-matters. People may call them simpleton but they have the ability to do good business.