Islam always teach their people to help each other in their lowest time. Especially for orphan, Islam has mentioned that matter in the following verse :
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther a way, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hand possess. Indee, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.” (QS. An-Nisa : 36)
Therefore muslims are allowed and even encouraged to help orphan including by adopt them. But what muslims should understand is that the concept of adoption in Islam from others is rather different. We can adopt child or orphan but we can not legally or make the orphan our true child. For example named them after our name as adoptive parents.
They should keep their named from their biological name. In Islam adoption is rather called by kafala or taking care of orphan or others said sponsorship. We provide them with food, custody, education, place, and many basic needs in order to help them. As mentioned in the following verse :
“…And he has not made your adopted sons your (true) sons. That is (merely) your saying by your mouths, but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the (right) away. Call them by (the names of) their fathers, it is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers-then they are still (your) brothers in religion and those entrusteed to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but (only for) what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (QS. Al-Ahzab : 4-5)
Virtues of Adoption in Islam
There are many virtues lies on the concept of adoption in Islamic perspective. These are 14 virtues of adoption in Islam, muslims should know :
1. It is a duty for muslim
Islam always encourage their people to perform good deed including by taking care of an orphan or children in needs. They all have a right to be happy. And helping them is one of our duty as muslims.
2. A sign of believer
Harashing or violate orphan is strongly prohibited in Islam. Since by doing that we will be included as a disbeliever as mentioned in the following verse :
“Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan.” (QS. Al-Ma’un : 1-2)
Indeed, it is clear that ignoring orphan is not a good deeds in Islamic view. Even if we do that as muslims we will be classified as disbeliever. Otherwise, if we care of them and love them sincerely, then it will be a sign that we are a believer. Read also : How to Treat Orphans in Islam
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3. Allah will loves us
As mentioned in the quran verse earlier that muslims are encourage to care of orphans. Since Allah SWT love the one who perform His commandment.
4. It counted as charity
Taking care of orphans or adoption is counted as charity in Islamic view. And it is one of the good deeds muslims should perform. Our wealth and prosperity must be intended for Allah as mentioned in the following verse :
“They ask you, (O Muhammad), what they should spend. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is (to be) for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do good-indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (QS. Al-Baqarah : 215)
5. Give them a chance to live a better life
Adoption also help orphans to get a better chance in their life. Imagine if no one helps them? How hard this life for them to live on. By helping them, provide them with our sustenance, education we give them a chance to change their life. Read also : Benefits of Marrying an Orphan in Islam
6. Keep them away from mischief or criminality
[AdSense-A] Nowadays the child crime rate increase. One of the suspect is because many abandoned children in the street were fall into crime and mischief. Adoption will avoid them from that dark side of world. By provide them with education both in religion, morality, world science, and protection we can kept them away from being mischief and misguided.
7. Adopting orphan means we educate and protect them
Whoever adopt orphan means that he or they must give those orphan with and education most importantly is that we will give them and teach then good morals. Orphans should be protected and it is our duty to provide them with guidance and protection. And whoever do evil to orphans Allah SWT will give them severe punishment.
8. Allah SWT will give us a reward
Rasulullah SAW said in the following hadith about the reward of helping orphans,
“One who cares for widows and the poor is like those who fight in the way of Allah or those who spend their days fasting and their nights praying.” (Al-Bukhari)
You may also want to know more about Definite Reward of Helping Orphans in Islam.
9. Adopting orphan is equal to Jihad
Jihad or fight in the way of Allah SWT is every muslims dreams. By taking care of an orphans our deed will be equal to jihad in the sight of Allah SWT. But remember that we must love them sincerely and treat them like our own child.
10. Protected by Allah in the Judgement Day
“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive. Saying, “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful. So Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them radiance and happiness. And will reward them for what they patiently endured (with) a garden (in Paradise) and silk (garments).” (QS. Al-Insan : 8 -12)
From the verse above we can see that give food for the needy, the orphan, and the captive will give us protection in the Judgement Day. Read also : Virtues of Feeding The Poor in Islam
11. Allah will give us happiness
Helping orphans and moreover adopt them will give us happiness. Our life will be more valuable because it is intended to help others especially orphans. They were vulnerable and have no guardiance, thus as fellow muslims it is our obligation to help and love them.
12. It will bring us closer to heaven
What we want to achieve in afterlife is Jannah or Paradise. Perform prayer, good deed, and helping others are an act that will bring us closer to it.
13. Allah SWT will give His blessing
Bring an orphan to our home, feed them, and provide their needs will help us to achieve His blessing. Because orphans is the dearest human being than others.
14.Our sustenance will be facilitated
Orphans have their own sustenance and guaranted by Allah SWT. Helping them will also bring us abundance of sustenance.
So our dear Muslims, do not afraid on performing good deed especially adoption. Because Islam encourage us to do so. Allah will grant us His blessing and sustenance and we will not lack on anything if we perform a good deed.