The grand finale of the Waffah Children’s Home Ramadan Lecture took place today at Waffah Islamic Orphanage Home, Stadium Road Ilorin, the event featured a thoughtful lecture by Dr. Mrs. Habeebah Adam, former Deputy Rector and Chief Lecturer at Kwara State Polytechnic. She emphasized the critical role of the Muslim community in supporting orphans and vulnerable children.
Dr. Adam began by expressing her heartfelt appreciation to the founder of Waffah Children’s Home, Alhaja Rukayat Olagunju, for her unwavering dedication to the cause. She stressed that the Muslim community has a collective duty towards orphans and vulnerable children, noting that if this responsibility had been fully embraced, Waffah would have expanded significantly or even secured a permanent site by now.
Highlighting the slogan of Waffah, “Love Lives Here,” she emphasized that orphan care is not solely about financial support but also requires consistent networking, mentorship, and emotional investment. She pointed out that the founder of Waffah cannot handle the burden alone, calling on the Muslim ummah to contribute in diverse ways.
Dr. Adam provided insights into the significance of orphans in Islam, explaining that an orphan is a child who has lost both parents before reaching adulthood. She emphasized that orphans are mentioned 22 times in the Quran, underlining their importance in Islam. Citing Surah Insan, she reminded attendees that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated that those who care for orphans will be beside him on Yaumul Qiyamah. She also referenced Quranic verses such as Baqarah 2:86, Verse 177 of the same chapter, and Surah Duha 6 and 9.
She warned against the unjust handling of an orphan’s wealth, equating it to consuming fire into one’s stomach, and lamented the decline of family-based orphan care, which was a norm in the past. Unlike modern adoption, Islamic orphanages allow children to retain their family lineage, a crucial aspect of Islamic teachings.
Dr. Adam highlighted the numerous challenges orphanages face, including lack of access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and emotional support. She narrated the story of Bushrah, a child found by Waffah’s founder, who was later adopted by a Christian family. She expressed concerns over the potential impact of such circumstances on a child’s Islamic upbringing.
She stressed that beyond financial assistance, emotional support is equally vital. Orphans should be made to feel like part of a family, and the broader Muslim community must step up through mentorship, recreational activities, and even zakat contributions.
Dr. Adam outlined the immense rewards associated with caring for orphans, including: Allah’s mercy (Rahmah), Blessings in wealth and prosperity, Eternal rewards in Paradise, It serves as a form of Sadaqatul Jariyah (continuous charity), Abundant barakah in life and resources
Addressing the reasons why orphanages struggle to thrive, she identified nonchalant attitudes and lack of funding as key issues. She urged individuals and organizations to take collective and personal responsibility in supporting orphanages. She further advised Waffah’s founder to seek assistance from Islamic relief organizations and philanthropic individuals who share the vision of caring for orphans.
She concluded by calling on the Muslim ummah to make orphan care “a business with Allah,” emphasizing that supporting orphans is a noble duty with eternal rewards.