Fatherless Children
The Quran in 19 verses forbids harsh and oppressive treatment of orphaned children while urging kindness and justice towards them. Muhammad himself was an orphan and an early Quranic verse celebrates God's providence and care towards him. Other Quranic verses identify those who repulse the orphan as unbelievers, rebuke those who do not honor the orphans and encourage the unbelievers to feed the orphans. The Quran speaks of the reward waiting for those who feed orphans, poor and the prisoner for the love of God. It also warns those who wrongfully consume the property of orphans that they will be punished in the hereafter with "fire in their own bellies". The Quran also gives concrete instructions to guardians regarding the orphans, particularly on how to protect their wealth and property rights.
Islamic scholar and prominent thinker Muhammad Husayn Tabatabaei, who is given the titles Allamah and Sayyid, renowned for his Quranic exegesis explains that verses 57 to 59 of sura 16 (An-Nahl) indicate how God admonished pagan polytheistic tribes for their sexism:
They used to assign girls to God and for themselves choose whatever they wanted, meaning that they would choose boys for themselves. For the same reason, they used to bury daughters alive. In conclusion, the things they did not prefer for themselves, they would prefer for God almighty. God admonishes them for this statement.Read more about this topic: Islam And Children
Famous quotes containing the words fatherless and/or children:
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
—Bible: New Testament James 1:27.
“Awareness of having better things to do with their lives is the secret to immunizing our children against false values—whether presented on television or in “real life.” The child who finds fulfillment in music or reading or cooking or swimming or writing or drawing is not as easily convinced that he needs recognition or power or some “high” to feel worthwhile.”
—Polly Berrien Berends (20th century)