Allah Almighty said: {Read in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.} [Al-Alaq: 1-5].
“Read…” These were the first words of Allah to His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the exemplary orphan, highlighting the greatness of reading and education and their importance in human development. What if this individual were an orphan?
Our Islamic faith emphasizes the rights of orphans to education, considering their sponsorship a sadaqah jariyah and a societal responsibility that opens the horizons of life for them with equality and dignity.
This article will unveil the influential role of education in the lives of orphans, emphasizing the divine and prophetic virtue in caring for this group, and how sponsoring an orphan transcends material needs to building an educated and active personality in society. Let’s start our article.
What Does Educating an Orphan Mean?
It means providing support and care to this deprived group. Educating an orphan is not just a human duty but a response to Islamic directives that urge the care of the poor and needy and enabling them to learn and develop, contributing to a society characterized by cooperation, ethical, and religious values.
The Importance of Educating an Orphan for the Individual and Society
Educating an orphan is not only a means to help them adapt to life but is also an investment in human resources and a stimulus for social and cultural development of the entire society. Despite losing parental care, an orphan can become an active community member. History has shown us many great and creative individuals who were orphans but left clear marks in the history of nations.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and before him Prophets Isa and Musa (peace be upon them), followed by many scholars and thinkers such as Ibn Al-Jawzi, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Bukhari, Jalaluddin Al-Suyuti, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, who lived their childhood as orphans and left a great legacy and virtue in their societies due to their knowledge, work, and good reputation.
The Reward of Educational Sponsorship for an Orphan in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) specially mentioned orphans and their caretakers in many hadiths, saying about the caretaker of an orphan: “I and the guardian of an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” and he also said: “The one who cares for an orphan and me are like this in Paradise,” indicating a close bond. Considering the great virtue and immense reward in Islam for caring for an orphan, how much more so when the reward is a ” sadaqah jariyah ” that does not cease for everyone who contributed to their care and education.
How to Sponsor an Orphan’s Education in Northern Syria..?
The harsh conditions of the war in Northern Syria and the displacement experienced by the population had a significant impact on children’s lives, especially orphans, affecting their educational life. Despite the destruction of schools and displacement not being the main barrier, the difficult living conditions faced by children and their families, especially orphans who lost their breadwinner and had to take on family responsibilities, presented a significant challenge.
With the emergence of volunteer initiatives like “Masarat Initiative,” these children have the opportunity to receive education from distinguished teaching staff. Therefore, your support for these initiatives enhances their performance and improves the educational services provided to orphan students, helping them build their futures on strong educational foundations enabling them to actively participate in developing their communities.
Masarat for Vocational Education and Development in Northern Syria
Thousands of students in Northern Syria are deprived of education due to war, poverty, and displacement. The destruction of educational infrastructure has left most students unable to continue their education, forcing them to work to support their families, potentially creating an entire generation without education.
Masarat Initiative works to provide free education to these marginalized and out-of-school students using remote learning platforms like Microsoft Teams. It offers them school education, student activities, academic advising, and supports them until they become capable of building their futures independently, without relying on others or engaging in child labor.
Your donations will contribute to the continuation of online learning for these students, providing ongoing educational opportunities for our children in their homes and tents, free of charge and inclusively.
