Allah, Mtukufu, anasema, {Hakika wale wanaokula mali ya mayatima kwa dhulma, hakika wanajaza matumbo yao moto, nao watateketea katika Moto mkali.} (An-Nisaa: 10)

Allah, the Most High, says, {Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.} (Al-Nisa': 10)

Qur'ani pia inasema, {Wala msiyakaribie mali ya yatima isipokuwa kwa njia iliyo bora, mpaka atakapofikia nguvu zake kamili.} (Al-An'am: 152)

The Qur'an also states, {Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength.} (Al-Imran: 152)

Mtume (ﷺ) alisema, "Nilipopandishwa mbinguni katika Mi'raj, niliona baadhi ya watu wakifumbua midomo yao kwa kulazimishwa na watu wengine. Kisha akaja mtu mwingine aliyekuwa akiwalisha mawe ya moto, ambayo yalipenya miili yao na kutoka kupitia njia zao za haja kubwa. Nikashangaa: 'Hawa ni akina nani, Gabriel?' Akajibu, 'Ni wale wanaokula mali ya mayatima kwa dhulma; wanaingiza moto tumboni mwao.'"1

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "When I was taken up in Ascent (Mi'raj) I saw some men gapping their jaws under the coercion of other men. Then came another men who fed them stones of fire that penetrated their bodies and came out from their anus. I wondered: 'Who are they, Gabriel?' He replied, 'They are those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire intotheir bodies.”1

Imepokewa kwamba Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ alisema: "Allah, Mtukufu kabisa, atawafufua baadhi ya watu kutoka makaburini mwao huku moto ukiwaka ukitoka miilini mwao na kuziunguza nyuso zao." Mtume ﷺ aliulizwa: "Ni akina nani hao, Ewe Mjumbe wa Allah?" Akasema: "Allah, Mwenye enzi, anasema: {Hakika wale wanaokula mali ya mayatima kwa dhuluma, hawali isipokuwa moto tumboni mwao; na watangia Moto wenye kuwaka.} (An-Nisaa: 10)"2

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Allah, Most High resurrected some people from their graves with fire flaming out from their bodies and burning their faces." The Prophet was asked: 'Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said,' Allah, the Almighty says, {Those who unjustly will eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.} (AI-Nisa': 10)2

As-Sadiy, radhi Allahu anhu, alisema: "Siku ya Kiyama, mtu aliyejitwalia mali ya yatima atafufuliwa akiwa na moto unaotoka kinywani mwake, masikioni, puani na machoni mwake. Hivyo, atatambulika vizuri." (Isma'il Ibn AbdelRahman As-Sadiy alishtakiwa kwa kufuata madhehebu ya Shi'ah.)

As-Sadiy, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "On the Day of Judgement, the one who appropriated an orphan's property will be resurrected with the flames of fire coming out from his mouth, ears, nose and eyes. Therefore, he will be well-identified." (Isma'il Ibn AbdelRahman As-Sadiy was accused of following the Shi'ah sect.)

Wanazuoni walisema kwamba hakuna ubaya ikiwa mlezi maskini wa yatima atatumia baadhi ya mali ya mtoto huyo wa kuwekwa chini ya uangalizi wake, mradi asizidi kile kinachoruhusiwa, kiasi kwamba anapanga na kuboresha mambo ya biashara yake.

Scholars said that there is no harm if a poor guardian of an orphan consumes some of his charge's property without exceeding what is permissible as much as he disposes and improves his business affairs.

Chochote kinachozidi kile kinachoruhusiwa ni haramu kabisa (Suht)? Allah, Mwenye Nguvu, anasema: {Na mwenye kujitosheleza na asidai ujira, na mwenye umaskini na ale kwa wema. Mtakapowakabidhi mali yao, basi wekeni mashahidi mbele yao. Na Allah anatosha kuwa Mwenye kuhesabu.} (An-Nisa': 6)

What is in excess of the permissible is absolutely unlawful (Suht)? Allah, the Almighty says, {If the guardian is well-off, let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just, reasonable. When ye release their property then, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is Allah in taking account.} (An-Nisa': 6)

Kula kwa kiasi cha mali ya yatima kunaweza kufasiriwa kuwa ni kama ifuatavyo: kukusudia kuwa ni mkopo, kukidhi mahitaji yake mwenyewe bila kupita kiasi, kuchukua ujira wa kusimamia au kuboresha biashara ya yatima, au kukusudia kurudisha kile anachochukua kwa sababu ya haja, endapo atakuwa tajiri. Maoni haya tofauti yametajwa na Ibn Al-Jawziy katika Tafsiri yake.

Reasonable consuming of an orphan's property may be interpreted as: Intending the loan, fulfilling his own needs without excess, taking the wage of disposing or improving the orphan's business or intending to return what he takes out of need, if he becomes prosperous. These different points of views are mentioned by Ibn AI-Jawziy in his Tafsir (exegesis)

"Mimi na mtu anayemlea yatima, tutaingia peponi pamoja hivi," na akainua kidole chake cha shahada na kidole cha kati pamoja, bila nafasi yoyote kati yao (kama mfano).

"I and one who takes care of an orphan, will enter paradise together like this" and he raised his forefinger and middle finger jointly leaving no space betWeen them (by way of illustration)." 1

"Mimi na mtu anayemtunza yatima, awe ni jamaa yake au mgeni, tutakuwa kama hawa wawili peponi;" kisha msimulizi akainua kidole chake cha shahada na kidole cha kati ili kuonyesha hili.” 2

"I and one who takes care of an orphan, whether related to him or a stranger, will be like these two in paradise;" and the narrator raised his forefinger and middle finger to illustrate this.” 2

Ulezi wa yatima maana yake ni kusimamia mambo yake: chakula, mavazi, na kuendeleza mali yake endapo anayo. Hata hivyo, ikiwa ni maskini, inapendekezwa kumtunza kwa ajili ya Allah (SWT). Katika hadithi iliyotajwa hapo juu, kuna dalili kwamba mlezi wa yatima anaweza kuwa jamaa yake au asiwe jamaa, kama Mtume ﷺ anavyosema katika hadithi: "awe ni jamaa yake au mgeni." Mtume ﷺ amesema: "Atakayempokea yatima miongoni mwa Waislamu ili amlishe na amnyweshe, mpaka Allah (SWT) amfanye awe mwenye kujitosheleza, Allah (SWT) atamfanyia Pepo kuwa ni lazima kwake, isipokuwa ikiwa atafanya dhambi isiyosameheka." 3

The guardianship of an orphan means to dispose his affairs: food, clothing and to improve his property if he has any. However, if he is poor, it is recommended to take care of him for the sake of Allah. In the aforementioned hadith, there is a reference that the orphan mayor may not be a relative as the Prophet says in the hadith: “related to him or a stranger” The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever receives an orphan from amongst the Muslims to feed and give him drink until Allah makes him prosperous, Allah will render the Paradise binding to him unless he commits an unforgivable sin.” 3

Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ alisema: "Yeyote atakayepapasa kichwa cha yatima kwa ajili ya Allah, atapewa thawabu kwa kila nywele aliyoigusa kwa wema. Na yeyote aliye na yatima na kumtendea kwa wema, mimi na yeye tutakuwa Peponi kama hivi" (kisha akakunjanisha vidole vyake viwili). 4

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Whoever wipes over an orphan's head for the sake of Allah, he will be rewarded for every hair he touched good deeds. Whoever has an orphan and treats him or her kindly, I and he will be in the Paradise like that (Then he combined his two fingers).” 4

Mtu mmoja alimwomba Abu Ad-Darda' ushauri. Hivyo akamshauri akisema, "Mhurumie yatima, mkaribishe karibu nawe na mlishe kutokana na kile unachokula. Nilimsikia Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ, mtu alipomuuliza kuhusu ugumu wa moyo wake, akisema, 'Ukitaka kulainisha moyo wako, basi mkaribishe karibu yatima, mpapase kichwa chake na mlishe kutokana na kile unachokula. Haya hakika yatalainisha moyo wako na kukuwezesha kufanya unachohitaji.'" 5

Someone asked Abu Ad-Darda' an advice. Thus he advised him saying, "Show mercy to the orphan, bring him nearer to you and feed him of what you eat. I heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh), when a man asked him about the harshness of his heart, saying, "If you want to soften your heart, then you should bring the orphan nearer, wipe over his head and feed him of what you eat. These surely will soften your heart and enable you to do what you need.” 5

Mmoja wa Waislamu wa mwanzo alisimulia, "Hapo awali nilikuwa nimezoea kutenda dhambi na kunywa pombe. Kisha siku moja nilimpokea yatima maskini. Nilimtendea wema, nikamlisha, nikamwogesha na kumvika nguo. Nilimtendea kwa upole kama mtu anavyomtendea mwanawe mwenyewe, na zaidi ya hapo. Baadaye nililala, nikaota kwamba ni siku ya Hukumu na nimeitwa kuhesabiwa. Kisha nilitakiwa kwenda Jahannamu kwa sababu ya dhambi zangu. Malaika wa adhabu walinivuta hadi Motoni. Wakati nikivutwa kuelekea Motoni, yule yatima alinizuia akasema, 'Enyi malaika wa Mola wangu, muacheni aende zake, ili nimwombee shufaa mbele ya Allah kwa sababu alinitendea wema na kuniheshimu.' Lakini malaika walisema, 'Hatukuamriwa kufanya hivyo.' Kisha ukaja wito wa Allah, 'Muacheni aende. Nimemsamehe kwa sababu ya shufaa ya yatima na wema aliomtendea.' Hapo nikainuka na kutubu kwa Allah Mtukufu, Aliye juu. Baadaye niliendelea kujitahidi kuonyesha huruma kwa mayatima."

One of the early Muslims recounted, "I was at first used to committing sins and drinking wine. Then, one day I received a poor orphan. I was kind to him, fed him, gave him a bath and clothed him. I treated him as tenderly as a man does with his own son and more. Afterwards, I went to sleep I dreamt that it was the day of Judgement and I was called for reckoning. Then, I was to go to Hell for my sins. I was dragged by the angels of punishment to the Fire. Meanwhile, when I was being dragged to the Fire, the orphan blocked me and said, 'O angels of my Lord, let him go. So as to intercede for him before Allah since he treated me kindly and honored me.' But the angels said; 'We were not commanded to do so.' Then came the call of Allah, "Let him go. I forgave him because of the orphan's intercession and the kind treatment he did with him. Then, I got up and repented to Allah the High Exalted. Later on, I kept on doing my best to show mercy to orphans.

Mtume ﷺ alisema: "Nyumba bora kabisa ni ile yenye mtoto yatima anayetendewa kwa wema, na nyumba mbaya kabisa ni ile inayomdhulumu. Kiumbe anayependwa zaidi na Allah Mtukufu ni yule anayemtendea wema yatima au mjane."1

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "The best of the houses is that which contains an orphan who is treated kindly and the worst of the houses is that which mistreats him. The most beloved one to Allah the Almighty is the one who offers a favor to an orphan or a widow.”1

Mwenyezi Mungu alimfunulia Dawud (amani iwe juu yake): "Ee Dawud! Kuwa baba mwenye upendo kwa yatima, na mume mwema kwa mjane. Weka kumbukumbu hii akilini mwako kwamba kadiri unavyotenda, ndivyo utakavyovuna."

"Allah revealed to Dawud (pbuh): "0 Dawud! Be a loving father to the orphan, and a kind husband to the widow. Put into your account that the more you do the more you reap 2

Hii inamaanisha kwamba chochote unachokifanya, utakiona matokeo yake baadaye. Kwa mfano, utakapokufa na kuwaacha mtoto au mjane, nao watatendewa kwa namna ile ile uliyowatendea wengine.

This means that whatever you do, you will find its consequences thereafter. For example, when you die and leave a child or a widow, thy will be treated in the same manner you treated others.

Katika maombi yake, Dawudi anasema, "Ee Mwenyezi Mungu! Malipo ya yule anayemtunza yatima au mjane kwa ajili Yako ni yapi?" Mwenyezi Mungu akajibu, "Atakuwa chini ya Kivuli Changu siku ambayo hakuna kivuli isipokuwa Changu." yaani, kivuli cha Kiti cha Enzi siku ya Hukumu. Hadithi ifuatayo inaonyesha ubora wa kuwatendea wema yatima na mjane. Zamani kulikuwa na mtu aliyekuwa wa kundi la 'Alowiyyin. Aliishi Balkh (eneo la Kibyzantini) na alikuwa na mke na binti kadhaa. Waliishi maisha ya anasa na ustawi. Kisha mume alifariki. Mjane wake na binti zake wakawa maskini sana hata wakahamia mji mwingine ili kukimbia aibu ya kuona maadui zao wakifurahia msiba wake. Alipofika mjini, alijihifadhi na binti zake katika msikiti ulioachwa. Kisha akatoka kwenda kuwaletea chakula. Alipita karibu na watu wawili, mmoja Mwislamu na mwingine Mmajusi.

In his soliloquy, Dawud says, "O Allah! What is the recompense of whomever takes care of an orphan or a widow for Your Sake?" Allah answered, "He will be under the Shade of Mine when there will be no shade except Mine." i.e., the shade of the Throne on the Day of Judgement." The following is another account that highlights the excellence of treating the orphan and the widow kindly. Once there was someone who belonged to the 'Alowiyyin sect. He lived in Balkh (a Byzantine region) and had a wife and several daughters. They were living in luxury and prosperity. Then the husband died. His widow and daughters become so poor that they moved to another town to flee from the ghost of noticing their enemies rejoice at her misfortune. Having entered the town she resorted to a deserted mosque with her daughters. Then, she went out to bring them something to eat. She passed by two people, a Muslim and a magian.

Alianza kwa kumuuliza Mwislamu, na akamweleza jinsi alivyoteseka sana, ilhali alikuwa mwanamke mwenye heshima kutoka kwenye madhehebu ya 'Alawiyyeen. Lakini yeye (Mwislamu) alimwomba aonyeshe ushahidi. Alisema kwamba yeye alikuwa mgeni.

She started by asking the Muslim and explained to him how she suffered a lot while she was an honored woman from the 'Alawyyeen sect. But he asked her to show evidence. She said she was stranger.

Lakini, hakumjali. Kisha, aliondoka akiwa na huzuni na tena akamweleza kisa chake kwa Magian, jinsi alivyokuwa na binti wanne walio yatima na wenye uhitaji. Alimsimulia hadithi yake Sheikh wa Kiislamu.

But, he did not pay attention to her. Then, she left feeling sad and again explained her case to magian and how she had four daughters who were orphans and in need. She recounted her story to a Muslim Sheikh.

Yule Mmajusi alituma wanawake wake waende kumleta yule mwanamke na binti zake nyumbani. Akawalisha na kuwavisha vizuri. Wakakaa kwake kwa anasa na heshima. Usiku wa manane, yule Mwislamu aliyemrudisha mwanamke yule aliota kwamba ni Siku ya Kiyama. Bendera ilikuwa imeinuliwa juu ya kichwa cha Mtume ﷺ. Kulikuwa na jumba la zumaridi ya kijani kibichi ambalo madirisha yake yalikuwa ya lulu na yakuti, na lilikuwa na kuba za lulu na matumbawe. Kisha akamuuliza Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ: "Jumba hili ni la nani?" "Ni la Mwislamu anayemwamini Allah, Mmoja." "Ee Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ, mimi ni Mwislamu," alisema mtu huyo. Lakini Mtume ﷺ alimwomba aonyeshe ushahidi kwamba yeye ni Mwislamu.

The magian sent his ladies to bring her and daughters home. He fed them and clothed them well. They stayed with him in luxury and honor. At midnight, the Muslim who turned the woman away dreamt that it was the Day of Judgement. A banner was risen over the Prophet's head. There was a palace of green emerald whose windows were of pearls and corundum and also had domes of pearls and corals. He then asked the Messenger of Allah: "Whose palace is it?" For a Muslim who believes in Allah, the One.' O Allah's Messenger I am a Muslim, the man said. But the prophet asked him to show the evidence that he was a Muslim.

Mtu huyo alishangaa. Kwa hiyo, Nabii ﷺ alisema: "Mwanamke wa 'Alawiyya alipokuuliza, ulimwomba aonyeshe ushahidi kwamba yeye ni 'Alawiy. Basi nionyeshe ushahidi kwamba wewe ni Muislamu." Kisha mtu huyo aliondoka kwa huzuni kwa sababu alikuwa amemkataa mwanamke huyo. Alianza kumtafuta mjini hadi alipomkuta nyumbani kwa Mamajusi. Alimuuliza kuhusu mwanamke huyo na binti zake, lakini Mamajusi alikataa na akasema kwamba baraka nyingi zimemwagwa juu yake kwa sababu yao.

The man was perplexed. Accordingly, the prophet said "When the 'Alawiyya woman asked you, you asked her to show an evidence that she was Alawiy. Thus, show me evidence that you are Muslim. Then, the man got up sadly for repelling the woman. He started to search for her in the town until he found her in the Magian's house. He asked him about the woman and her daughters, but the Magian refused and said many blessing were showered upon him because of them.

Mtu huyo aliendelea kuwachukua na hata alimpa Mmajusi dinari elfu moja, lakini yeye alikataa tena.

The man persisted to take them and even offered the Magian a thousand dinars but he refused again.

Muislamu alisema, "Lakini mimi ninapaswa kuvichukua." Kisha yule Mamajusi akasema, "Unachokitaka ni changu, na jumba uliloliona katika ndoto yako liliumbwa kwa ajili yangu. Je, unaweza kunielekeza nikubali Uislamu?" Kwa Allah, sikulala jana kabla yangu na familia yangu hatujaukubali Uislamu mikononi mwa yule mwanamke. Pia nilikuwa na ndoto ile ile. Nabii ﷺ aliniuliza, "Je, yule mwanamke wa 'Alawiy na binti zake walikuwa nyumbani kwako?" Nikasema, "Ndiyo, Mjumbe wa Allah." Kisha akasema, "Jumba hilo ni lako wewe na familia yako, nanyi nyote mtaingia Peponi. Uliumbwa kuwa Muislamu tangu mwanzo wa uumbaji." Kisha yule Muislamu akaondoka kwa huzuni.

The Muslim said but I should take them. Then, the Magian said, what you want is mine and the palace which you saw in your dream was created for me. May you guide me to embrace Islam? By Allah, I did not sleep yesterday before my family and I embraced Islam at the hands of the woman. I had also the same dream. The Prophet asked me, "were the 'Alawiy woman and her daughters in your house?" I said 'yes', Messenger Of Allah? He, then, said, the palace is for you and your family and all of you will enter Paradise. You were created a Muslim from the beginning of the creation. Then, the Muslim went away sadly.

Tazama! Jinsi Allah anavyowabariki wale wanaowatendea wajane na mayatima kwa upole duniani.

Behold! How Allah blesses those who treat widows and orphans tenderly in this world.

"Aliyefanya kazi kwa bidii kwa niaba ya wanawake wazee na maskini, ni kama mujahidi (mpiganaji) katika njia ya Allah." Msimulizi anafikiri kwamba (Mtume) ﷺ aliongeza: "na kama mtu anayesimama katika sala na asiyechoka, na kama mtu anayefunga saumu na asiyeifungua."1

"He who works hard an behalf of old women and the indigent, is like a Mujahid (a warrior) in the cause of Allah and the narrator thinks, he (pbuh) added, "and like the person standing in prayer and who never tires, and like one who observes the fast and does not break it.”1