Generosity and Orphans

Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and granthim peace, was asked, 'Which people are the most generous?'' He replied,'The most generous of them in the sight of Allah are those with the mosttaqwa.' They said, 'That is not what we are asking about.' He said, 'Themost generous of people was Yusuf, the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophetof Allah, who was the son of the Intimate Friend of Allah (Ibrahim).' Theysaid, 'That is not what we are asking about.' He said, 'Are you asking aboutthose of Arab origin?' 'Yes,' they replied. He said, 'The best of you inthe Jahiliyya is the best of you in Islam when you have understanding fromAllah)."

Mundhir at-Tawri reported what Muhammad ibn 'Ali (ibn al-Hanafiyya)said about, "Is the repayment of kindness anything except kindness?" He said,"It is not denied to either the pious or the deviant."

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and granthim peace, said, "The person who strives on behalf of the widows and pooris like those who strive in the way of Allah and like those who fast in theday and pray at night."

'A'isha said, "A woman came to me who had two of her daughters withher. She asked me for something, but I could not find anything except fora single date which I gave her. She divided it between her daughters andthen got up and left. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,came in and I told him what had happened. He said, 'Whoever looks after thesegirls in any way and is good to them will have them as a veil from the Fire.'"

Umm Sa'id bint Murra al-Fihri related from her father that the Prophet,may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I and the guardian of anorphan will be in the Garden like these two." (His two fingers)

Al-Hasan reported that an orphan used to eat with Ibn 'Umar. One dayhe called for food and looked for this orphan but could not find him. Hearrived after Ibn 'Umar had finished. Ibn 'Umar called for more food to bebrought to him but they did not have any. So he was brought sawiq and honey.He said, "Here, have this! By Allah, you have not been cheated!" Al-Hasansaid, "By Allah, Ibn 'Umar was not cheated!"

Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and granthim peace, said, "I and the guardian of the orphan will be in the Gardenlike that," indicating his forefinger and middle finger.

Abu Bakr ibn Hafs reported that 'Abdullah would not eat unless an orphanwas at his table.

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless himand grant him peace, said, "The best house among the Muslims is the housein which orphans are well treated. The worst house among the Muslims is thehouse in which orphans are ill treated. I and the guardian of the orphanwill be in the Garden like that," indicating his two fingers.

Dawud said, "Be like a merciful father towards the orphan. Know thatyou will reap as you sow. How ugly poverty is after wealth! More than that:
how ugly is misguidance after guidance! When you make a promise to your friend,fulfil your promise. If you do not, it will bring about enmity between youand him. Seek refuge in Allah from a companion who, when you mention somethingto him, does not help you and who does not remind you when you forget."

Al-Hasan said, "I remember a time among the Muslims when their men wouldshout (to remind their families), 'O family! O family! (Look after) yourorphan! Your orphan! O family! O family! (Look after) your orphan! Your poorperson! Your poor person! O family! O family! (Look after) your neighbour!Your neighbour!' Time has been swift in taking the best of you while everyday you become baser."

Asma' bint 'Ubayd said, "I said to Ibn Sirin, 'I have an orphan in mycare.' He said, 'Treat him as you would treat your own child. Beat him asyou would beat your own child.'"

'Awf ibn Malik reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and granthim peace, said, "I and a woman who is widowed and is patient with her childwill be like these two fingers in the Garden."

Shumaysa al-'Atakiyya said, "The disciplining of orphans was mentionedin the presence of 'A'isha and she said, 'I would beat an orphan until hesubmits.'"