Islam teaches that loving and caring for orphans is a noble virtue. Allah SWT and the Prophet Muhammad SAW encourage Muslims to be kind, loving, and caring towards those who have lost their parents, especially their fathers. The best example in this regard comes from the Prophet Muhammad SAW. From an early age, he experienced firsthand what it was like to be an orphan. This life experience shaped his sensitivity and character in treating orphans with love, empathy, and sincere attention. His stories have been an inspiration for a long time, teaching us to always share love and attention with them.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW, a Noble Orphan
From the moment he was conceived, the Prophet Muhammad SAW was an orphan. His father, Abdullah, had passed away before he was born. When he was still a toddler, his mother, Siti Aminah, also passed away on her way home from visiting her husband’s grave. The losses did not stop there. At the age of eight, his grandfather Abdul Muthalib, who had been taking care of the Prophet Muhammad, also passed away. So little Muhammad was left with his uncle, Abu Thalib.
However, it was precisely from these losses that kindness grew. Muhammad SAW not only learned to stand on his own, but also learned to love with all his heart. He understood loneliness. He understood the invisible wounds on the faces of children who had lost their parents. And that made him a person who was not only caring, but also very sensitive to the weak and those in need.
When he became a Messenger, his compassion was never feigned. He truly lived among the orphans, honoring them with smiles, attention, and the promise of paradise for anyone who cared for them. In a very heartwarming hadith, he said:
أَنَا وَكَافِلُ الْيَتِيمِ فِى الْجَنَّةِ هكَذَا وأشار بالسبابة والوسطى وفرج بينهما شيئاً
“I and the one who takes care of an orphan (will be) in Paradise like this,” then he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, pointed with his index and middle fingers, and slightly spread them apart.
(HR Bukhari)
Starting from a difficult childhood, it actually fostered deep empathy, not hardened wounds.
Read also: How to give sadaqah at Fajr?
The Example of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in Treating Orphans
The Prophet Muhammad SAW was not only a historical figure, but also a person who treated orphaned children with great kindness. He did not view them as a burden on society, but rather as a noble trust. His treatment of them showed sincere love, not for the sake of image, but because he himself had experienced the loss of his parents at a young age.
One moment that illustrates the Prophet Muhammad’s love was when he met an orphan who was crying on Eid because he had no father. The Prophet Muhammad hugged him, took him home, and said, “Am I not your father, Aisha your mother, and Fatimah your sister?” Stories like this show that his love was not just words, but grew into protective actions.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always prioritized kindness in dealing with orphans. He defended their honor and emphasized that hurting them was a grave sin. In fact, in his sayings, he likened the guardians of orphans to his close friends in heaven.
Read also: Ethics and Adab of Sadaqah, Not fulfilling the Potential for Lost Rewards
Moral Lessons and Wisdom from the Compassion of the Prophet Muhammad
From the attitude of the Prophet Muhammad, we learn that compassion is not a weakness. On the contrary, compassion is a strength that can bring about change in society. The Prophet Muhammad taught that loving and caring for the weak, such as orphans, is part of faith. When someone caresses an orphan’s head with love, not only does the child feel calm and happy, but the heart of the person who loves him or her will also be made calm and gentle by Allah SWT.
Compassion, justice, and respect for the rights of orphans are important values in Islamic teachings. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invites us all to care about the suffering of others, so that no one feels alone or neglected. Through his attitude, we are invited to be people who bring goodness, not just silently watching the difficulties of others.
Empathy is not just knowing, but also wanting to feel. The Prophet Muhammad SAW built a society that cared for one another. Caring for orphans is a tangible manifestation of brotherhood among Muslims. If we care, it means we are helping to create a healthy society—a society that helps one another, not abandons one another.
Practicing Love for Orphans in Everyday Life
Not everyone has the opportunity or ability to take care of orphans at home. However, each of us can still spread love and attention to them. Greeting, comforting, helping, or simply taking the time to listen to their stories are already very meaningful forms of love. That way, orphans feel valued, recognized, and not alone. This is a simple example taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, small steps that we can imitate in our daily lives.
We can start with something easy. Personally, it is enough to pray for them or make a donation. Within the family, we can teach children to share and perhaps set aside a little of their wealth to help with the education costs of orphans. The community can create a friendly and safe environment for them, starting with caring schools and mosques that are open and offer a warm welcome. This concern is not just a mere discourse or invitation, but can grow into a living culture within the community. (Diandra/Syafira)