ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib Kindness On Widows, Orphans and the Poor Islam is not only performing the mandatory duties Viz: prayers, Fasting Hajj, etc… but it is a collection of beliefs and commensurate actions by the Believers. Kind treatment to the widows, orphans and the poor too is a part of good deeds that a Muslim must perform.

If a person indulges only in personal comforts and luxuries not bothering about the orphans and other needy around him, he is not fulfilling the requirements of the Faith.

When the Prophet (a.s) was asked about the requirements of the Faith, he said: “Faith is respecting the Commands of Allah and kindness on His creatures.” It is the duty of every Muslim that, according to his capability, he helped the poor and needy persons but as the head of the State this is the most important function of his office that he ensures that the care of such poor and destitute persons was not neglected. Amir al-Mu’minin’s heart was a depository of affection and care.

Whenever he found a poor person, he felt kindness and compassion for him. He treated the orphans in a way that they forgot that they were orphans. Once containers of figs and honey arrived from Halwan and Hamdan. The Imam (a.s) asked some men to assemble orphans. When the children came, he distributed the honey and the figs to them. The children were taking the honey and licking the remnants sticking to the side s of the containers.

Some person said what has happened to the children that they were licking the honey and the Imam (a.s) is not stopping them from doing it. The Imam (a.s) said: “Imam is the father of the orphans and because of this filial sentiment I have allowed the kids to lick the honey!” Once the Imam (a.s) was passing through a lane. He noticed a woman carrying a leathern bag of water on her shoulder. Out of kindness, he took the bag from her and carried it himself.

He asked if she had a male member at her home. She said that her husband was sent by Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) on a campaign where he was martyred and that her children have been orphaned. She said that she was herself bringing the water and earning a livelihood for her children and herself through hard labor. The Imam (a.s) came home after leaving the water bag at the woman’s home. The whole night he was thinking about the troubles that family was facing.

Early morning he bought the necessities for food and went to the house of the woman.