Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 407
— Part IV 398 not treat them as strangers. It is not sufficient to build orphanages and just provide them with the daily requirements of life. Then Allah warns that He knows very well those who spread disorder and those who reform the society. Some people keep orphans in their houses with the purpose of enslaving them and taking menial tasks from them. They address them as their own children, but treat them like servants. Thus, Allah observes human nature in depth and continues to point at every hidden danger. The Teaching of Benevolence concerning Orphans Then, warning the whole of society, Allah declares: Nay, but you honour not the orphan, (S u rah al-Fajr; Ch. 89: V. 18) This means that just to take pity on orphans is not sufficient. You must treat them with honour and deep respect. Incidentally, it reminds one of an admonishment of the Holy Prophet sa , reminding parents to treat their own children with honour. So in fact, orphans should be treated like one’s own children. Here, the teaching enters from the domain of justice into the domain of beneficence. After this, some other deadly moral diseases are mentioned. So,