Messages of Supplication of Day 8 of Ramadan: Helping the Orphans
“Allah, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the hungry], and openly say salam, and keep company with the noble-minded, O the shelter of the hopeful,” reads the supplication dedicated for this day.
Message 1: Having mercy on orphans
Words related to “orphan” have been mentioned 23 times in the Holy Quran. Highlighting the value of helping orphans, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the best homes are those in which an orphan is respected. Quranic verses and narrations point to three main issues about orphans: 1) adopting them, 2) ways to treat them, and 3) preserving their assets
Message 2: Feeding
Feeding people is among old Islamic traditions. According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one who carries out one of the following five acts will enter Paradise: 1) giving water to a thirsty, 2) feeding a hungry, 3) giving clothes to a naked, 4) riding who is on foot, and 5) freeing a struggling servant for God’s sake.
Message 3: Saying salam
Saying salam openly does not mean articulating it loudly, rather, it means saying the word to all people that one encounter. Imam Sadiq (AS) said one should not be stingy when it comes to saying salam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has named this act as a condition for the completion of faith.
Message 4: Keeping company with pious
Keeping company with committed and faithful people is a guarantee for a good life in this and the next world. Meanwhile, bad friends create problems in both worlds.
This article was derived from a book written in Persian by Hojat-ol-Islam Ruhollah Bidram.
