BREAKING fast with 32 beautiful children of the Sungai Pinang Home and School for the Orphans in Klang recently was a most memorable and touching experience.
It is true that occasional visitors to shelter homes would find the tenants happy and merry. But the truth of the matter is that such perception is, by and large, unfounded.
Looking closely at each and every one of them, it becomes clear that they actually generate an aura of both gratitude and sadness.
Gratified for the opportunity to harbour, albeit for a short while, the sense of belonging to somebody, of being wanted by someone.
Sad, for they know that at the end of the day, the rendezvous with the visitors would be sealed by the inevitable goodbye, most probably a lasting one.
Orphans occupy a special position in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was himself an orphan, having lost his father even before he was born, and his mother when he was six years old.
Naturally being an orphan cut deeply into Muhammad’s soul. Even the Quran had to console the Prophet, reminding him as it were, “Did God not find you an orphan and give you shelter and care? “Did He not find you erring and guide you to the truth? And He found you in need and made you independent. Therefore treat not the orphan with harshness.” (Chapter 93: verses 6-9)
The Prophet took up these words as something both soothing and challenging.
Hence the improvement of the quality of life of orphans, who were exceptionally numerous in ancient Arabia, played a large part in his scheme of social reform.
When the relatives could not take charge of them, the care of orphans became the responsibility of the chief of the tribe. This obligation was also put on the Prophet and later Caliphs, as leaders of the community.
The Quran is full of passages that make good treatment of orphans a duty and forbid their oppression. A fifth of all the booty acquired in the war should be assigned to orphans.
Orphans are also eligible to receive part of the property abandoned by the enemy or confiscated without a formal war. Other groups that fall into this category are the Prophet, his relatives, the needy and the wayfarer.
As for the right to receive charity, orphans occupy the third position in terms of priority, after one’s parents and kindred.
Feeding orphans also figures very highly as one of the acts of attaining perfection in the eyes of God.
Illegal appropriation of the property of an orphan, by his guardian for instance, is specially condemned. The transgressor is even threatened with the punishment of hell.
What rightly belongs to the orphan must be returned to him when he reaches the age of maturity. His valuable property should not be substituted with something less precious. Neither should one devour this property by mixing it up with one’s own.
As to whether the money or property of an orphan should be subjugated to taxation, such as the tithe or zakat, scholars have different opinions. The majority feel that this is not necessary.
However, the Hanafi school argues that in this case, zakat should be paid based on the practices of the Prophet’s wife Aisyah.
It is also reported that either the Prophet or the second Caliph Umar was of the opinion that the guardian should trade with the ward’s money so that the zakat would not gradually consume it.
The Prophet had also given sanction that a poor guardian might use the orphan’s estate insofar as receiving a token or compensation for his trouble.
Orphans are also entitled to proper education and guidance. This includes education of the mind and enrichment of the spirit. This means that they must be provided with both conventional and religious knowledge.
Once they have been ascertained to achieve maturity and wisdom, they will be accorded independence and control over their property.
Such is the breadth and length of Islamic teachings as far as spelling out the rights and privileges of an orphan are concerned.
Thus, in today’s society too we have to continuously evaluate the social status of our orphaned population. More often than not, orphans who are put under group childcare services come from a disadvantaged family.
That is to say, their parents might not have been overly successful as far as education or career is concerned.
The challenge for society is whether to allow these orphans to be equally unsuccessful and let them be perpetually trapped in the vicious circle, or change them to become successful individuals.
Surely, we have to choose the second option. Many orphans are known to have great potential. They are, after all, living in a modern Malaysia, which means that most of the time they too are not deprived of the basic amenities enjoyed by the rest of society.
In terms of financial help, many organisations are already involved in various projects to care for the orphans. The Malaysian corporate sector is certainly not lacking in this noble effort.
There are companies that have adopted orphanages of their choice. Some sponsor regular tuition for the tenants.
Others have helped secure computers and other educational paraphernalia to boost the orphans’ academic achievement. It goes without saying that all these contributions can be enhanced further.
However, a more systematic approach to orphan care may need to be instituted. For example, a pilot project to simulate the residential school environment in some orphanages should be initiated by the authorities.
Sufficient facilities should be provided to ensure that they too can excel in their studies and co-curricular activities.
Some modifications may need to be made to the school system but the objective must be clear, that is to break the orphans away from the vicious circle.
The most important thing is to ensure that orphans will be able to have high hopes and big ambitions.
The other step that must be taken by the community is to ensure that besides material and financial contributions, orphans are also provided with emotional and spiritual support.
For this to happen, more Malaysians need to be involved in activities of voluntary organisations. Yes, definitely we shall have to sacrifice some of our precious time for this.
But, is it not right that we give some of our time to the society that has helped us accomplish so much? Is it not gracious that we show our thanks to the Almighty that has protected us so dearly?
Orphans need a lot of personal care. We must remember they are growing up without the love and protection of natural parents. Therefore, regular visits to orphanages to communicate and interact with the inmates can help boost their morale tremendously.
It is often said that the plight of the less fortunate members of the Malaysian society only comes into the limelight during the month of Ramadan.
Hence, we must try to change that for, unlike Ramadan and fasting, the orphans’ wish to belong to someone and be cared by somebody is not seasonal.