Dar Al Amal
In Arsal, Lebanon, a border town in the hills above the Bekaa Valley, there are some 60,000 Syrian refugees living in scattered, mostly tented, accommodation amongst a Lebanese population of 35,000. A survey has shown that amongst them there are 230 orphaned children between the ages of 5 and 12 whose carers are relatives other than their parents, or unrelated.
Be Like a Merciful Parent to Orphans
Orphan care is an important aspect of Islam. Orphans are mentioned 22 times in the Qur’an; mistreatment of orphans is a serious sin, but nurturing and sponsoring them is a tremendously valuable good deed.
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this’, and he (saw) held his two fingers together to illustrate. [Bukhari]
Giving charity blesses and increases our wealth, because only Allah has control over our rizq (provision). Giving during a crisis is thus a lovely way to express your faith in Allah and remind yourself that you are solely reliant on Him.
“Blessed is the wealth of the Muslim, from which he gives
to the poor the orphan and the wayfarer”
Orphan Care
Every day, millions of children around the world face adversity. Struggling to survive in the face of wars, natural disasters, drought, or disease, they are all too often orphaned. Today, sponsor an orphan and help to change the lives of children all over the world.
As a result, losing a parent can make access to education, shelter, nutritious meals, and the prospect of a secure future an impossible dream. This is why it is incumbent upon all of us to care for orphans.
The reality of poverty is a daily burden for many orphaned children. They ARE left wondering where my next meal… Where will we be able to live? Will we survive if we get sick and can’t afford medicine?
These children are extremely vulnerable and face a bleak future because they lack much-needed educational support, health care, and age-appropriate safe places to play and grow.
