01/08/2025
MaswaJ OrphanagE FoundatioN : An idea inspired by Umar (RA)'s concern for the welfare of the Orphans during his time as Ameer.
When Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) walked the earth, power trembled before him — yet orphans found comfort in his presence.
He was the Ameer of the Muslim Ummah, ruling over vast lands, commanding powerful armies, and feared by emperors. But when nights fell and the world rested, Umar (RA) would walk the streets alone, disguised, searching, not for rebels or plots, but for the cries of hungry orphans and the sighs of struggling widows.
He would kneel beside orphaned children, cook for them with his own hands, and wait until they smiled — only then would he leave.
As the Ameer, Umar set up a formal system of welfare for orphans. He allocated monthly stipends from the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury), ensured that guardians did not abuse orphan wealth, and commanded his governors to protect and elevate their rights.
He understood that justice is hollow if the orphan sleeps hungry, or if his tears go unseen.
One night, Umar overheard a child crying in a tent. When he investigated, he found a mother boiling stones to calm her starving child, pretending that food was on the way. She didn’t know she was speaking in the ears of Umar (RA) when she said;
“Umar has forgotten us.”
Upon hearing the complain, he said nothing. He went back, loaded a sack of food, and rushed back. When his servant offered to carry it, Umar said;
“Will you carry my sins on the Day of Judgment?”
Subhanallah!
This was not a show, not politics, not optics — this was a heart consumed by responsibility. A soul burning with the weight of leadership. A man who believed that every orphan was his child. A man who believed every Orphan deserves a good living just other children.
Umar (RA) did not just lead an empire — he fathered a generation of orphans, with mercy as his sword and justice as his shield.
So, Umar (RA)'s exemplary good gesture and concern for the Orphans during his time, conceived the idea of establishing MASWAJ Orphanage foundation with the aim of improving the lives of the Orphaned children. For a very long time, we have had Orphans and widows under our care but recently, we saw the need to establish a formal structure for the Orphans where their affairs will be properly looked into.
We can never be like Umar (RA) but we can take from and live by his exemplary life. Because Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said ;
من كان مستنا، فاليستن بمن قد مات، فإن الحي لا تؤمن عليه الفتنة، أولئك أصحاب محمد (صلى الله عليه وسلم) هم أفضل هذه الأمة، أبرها قلوبا، وأعمقها علما.
“Whoever wants to follow a path, let him follow the path of those who have passed away, for the living are not safe from trials. They are the companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him); they are the best of this nation, the purest of heart, and the deepest in knowledge."
May Allāh accept this from us and be counted for us as act of good deed.
Chogudo Muhammad Jamiu
1st • August • 2025
7th • Saafar • 1447AH
