The Plight of Widows and Orphans: Understanding Their Vulnerabilities

Learn about the plight of widows and orphans

Widows and orphans all around the world, but particularly in developing countries, face struggles we can only imagine. This is a vulnerable group of people, and this group is constantly growing due to conflict, poverty, and other similar factors.

Helping widows and orphans in their struggles by providing financial and material support can greatly benefit them, but so can your duas (supplications). So, discover more about the plight and vulnerabilities of widows and orphans below, donate generously to make their lives a little easier, and fulfil your duty to Allah (SWT).

Widow and Orphan Food Parcels

Widows

There are around 258 million widows worldwide, and as we all know, they are some of the most vulnerable people who are often taken advantage of. They have little to no access to food, clean water, medication, and shelter.

There are increasing numbers of widows due to conflicts, poverty, pandemic illnesses like Covid-19, and displacement.

For many women, the loss of their spouses can change their lives significantly. Already living in grief, poverty and hardship, many women in poorer countries are left alone and have no support after their spouse has passed away.

Why? Well, many women rely on the income of their spouse, and in the event that they become widowed, they must fend for themselves with the little money they have. After a short amount of time, widows face difficulties in paying for food, medication, and housing, and if they are left with children, it makes raising a family even harder.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 widows are living in extreme poverty. In addition to this, widows often face negative stereotypes and, in some cultures, harmful traditional practices. They may be limited with what they can wear and eat and have their freedom restricted after their partner has died.

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned in a hadith: “The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s Cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night” [Sahih Al-Bukhari].

This is the importance and virtue of helping widows. Subhan ’Allah.

Orphans

Orphans are another vulnerable group, and even more so due to their age and lack of experience in the world. Many times, orphans are taken advantage of by being exploited or abused and are often neglected.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this’, and he (PBUH) held his two fingers together to illustrate”. [Bukhari]

We should practice the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by caring for orphans like they were our own children. There is great reward in this, as many hadiths and Qur’an verses convey:

“They ask you, [O Prophet], in what [way] they should donate. Say, “Whatever donations you give are for parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, and [needy] travellers. Whatever good you do is certainly well known to Allah.” (Quran 2:215)

In a hadith, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well-treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill-treated”. [Bukhari]

Another hadith states: “Blessed is the wealth of the Muslim, from which he gives to the poor, the orphan and the wayfarer”. [Muslim]

Let’s work together to make the world a better place by donating to our appeal for widows and orphans. Your donation can make a massive difference to someone’s life.

Food Parcels Appeal

Just £35 provides a food parcel with enough food to feed a widowed family of five for a whole month. The parcels consist of essential foods such as rice, oil, salt, sugar lentils, wheat flour, and of course, clean water.

These food packages greatly help families, including widows and orphans, who have no access to clean water or food, and you can be the reason for this by donating towards our appeal.

Orphans in Need

Orphans in Need is on a mission to care for both widows and orphans in a world that often neglects them.

Orphans in Need is a charity dedicated to helping the most impoverished and needy around the world. We have provided support for children, widows, orphans, and many others in countries such as Somalia, Mali, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Palestine.

You can support our work and help people in need by donating to our Food Parcel Appeal today.

The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Please give whatever you can. Just a few pounds can make a big difference. May your charity weigh heavy on the scales and benefit the recipients. Ameen.