—and, we seek refuge in Allah, it is the very worst state; for had he truly believed in the Day of Recompense he would have shown mercy to those whom Allah has instructed us to treat mercifully and would have urged the feeding of the needy.

In Sūrat al-Fajr Allah the Exalted also says: “No indeed! You do not honor the orphan, nor do you encourage one another to feed the poor” (89:17–18). This wording is even more emphatic than the verse in Sūrat al-Māʿūn, for here He says, “you do not honor the orphan,” and honoring is more than merely refraining from either honoring or humiliating; the orphan must be shown honor.

Reflect on His words: “No indeed! You do not honor the orphan, nor do you encourage one another to feed the poor.” The destitute person’s due is to be fed and his need relieved, whereas the orphan’s right is to be honored. If the orphan is wealthy, he is honored because of his orphanhood and not fed because he has enough. If the orphan is poor, he is honored for being an orphan and fed for his poverty. Yet most people pay little attention to this.

Know that showing gentleness to the weak, the orphans, and the young plants within the heart mercy, tenderness, compassion, and a turning back to Allah—something only those who have practiced it can truly appreciate. Therefore you should be kind to the young, to orphans, and to the poor, so that your heart may be filled with affection, warmth, and mercy; for “Allah shows mercy only to those of His servants who are merciful.”

We ask Allah to envelop us and all Muslims in His mercy and grace; He is Ever-Generous, Ever-Bountiful.