Honouring Rabi' Al-Awwal: Following the Nobel Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah of Caring for Widows & Orphans
The blessed month of Rabi' Al-Awwal marks the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Across continents and cultures, he Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is known and revered as the 'Mercy to Mankind'.
But one often wonders: how can a man born in the quiet city of Mecca, in 570 CE, be accepted by billions as the ultimate definition of mercy, even today?
The answer is quite simple. He (ﷺ) gave to others what they truly deserved:
He (ﷺ) was compassionate to orphans, He (ﷺ) was kind to strangers, tended to the ill-treated, honoured the forgotten, provide care and love to the misunderstood, always showed empathy to those suffering.
He (ﷺ) also showed dignity to the voiceless, gave justice to the oppressed, provided knowledge to the ignorant, gave the gift of faith to the misguided.
The Prophet (ﷺ) gave life to those threatened, presented trust to the anxious, peace to those warring, safety to the animals, recognition to the Jinn’s, care to those who were abused and empowerment to women, widows and divorced women.
And many more virtues accepted by all, including Jinn’s and the angels alike.
It's unimaginable that the Prophet (ﷺ), who was born an orphan, lost his mother at the tender age of six and was raised by his grandfather Abdul-Mutallib and later by his uncle, Abu Talib (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُم) could embody all these beautiful attributes. This being even though his kindness was often ridiculed and mocked by the likes of Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab and their likes.
The Holy Qur'an reaffirms his greatness in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 107:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was granted the Seal of the Prophets and honoured as the Final Messenger of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), this was not just to introduce a new structure for the Arabian society during the year 610 CE, but it was aimed at guiding humanity till the end of times - across cultures, continents, spanning across centuries and through various realms.
He (ﷺ) saw the bitter treatment that society gave to women at every stage of their life, from being buried alive as an unwanted offspring, the lack of inheritance or opportunity to thrive, honour killings, being driven away from their rights and homes after the husband’s death and shunning the orphans from living a dignified life. These weren't just problems that plagued the Arabian society back then, but these were the ugly realities of countless widows and orphans regardless of the era or culture they belonged to, thus proving how he is Rahmatan lil-’Alamin, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Besides abolishing problematic practices that oppressed widows and orphans, he emphasised great spiritual rewards of caring for the vulnerable.
The Prophet (ﷺ) declared, "The person who strives on behalf of the widows and the poor is like those who strive in the way of Allah, and like those who fast in the day and pray at night." (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)
Just as a woman who lost her husband would be forced to go through hardships without any social, legal or financial rights, her children who had lost the father would also be mistreated and cornered by their immediate relatives and the society because there was nobody to back them up.
The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasised that children who had lost one or both their parents deserved love, protection and support because it wasn't just a moral or social duty, but it was also a way to attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and to the Prophet (ﷺ) himself in the Hereafter.
He (ﷺ) said: I and one who maintains an orphan would be together in Paradise in the presence of Allah, in the same way as these two fingers are together.’ And he pointed out to his index and the middle finger joined together.”
At Penny Appeal, we strive hard to emulate the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and help vulnerable communities across 13 countries. Through our generous donors like you and trusted local partners on ground, we have reached widows and orphans in some of the most remote and even conflict-ridden areas of the world, ensuring they are well supported and are given the opportunity to rise above poverty and hope for a bright future.
With over 121,000 orphans sponsored by Penny Appeal, your generosity has provided education and vital support to children who thought their life had ended the day they lost their father or mother.
As followers of the blessed Prophet (ﷺ) who showed mercy to every being, let us continue the ripple effect of nurturing more lives this Rabi' Al-Awwal.
To know more about how you can promote this Prophetic mission of becoming a blessing and mercy for all creations through Penny Appeal, visit our OrphanKind page to sponsor an orphan and transform a life, today.
Every Penny Helps Thank you.
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