Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered his last lecture on the subject of “Human Rights in Islam in Islam”, a series of lectures which got started a few days ago. He selected following three suras for his speech.

“And He gives you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.” (Sura Abraham, 34)

“O man! What has seduced you from your Lord Most Beneficent?” (al-Infitar)

“To you have We granted the Fount (of Abundance). Therefore to your Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. For he who hates you, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).” (Sura Kausar 1-4)

Talking on the topic of rights of the poor and the needy, Shaykh-ul-Islam said Islam was protector of the rights of economically impoverished classes. No other religion has taken up the responsibility to cater to the needs of the downtrodden sections of society in a manner as Islam has. He said Allah Almighty made mention of the deprived sections in one way or the other in these three Verses. There is a tradition of the Holy Prophet (saw), which says that blessings are showered on the house where an orphan lives. That is why providing for the orphan is a worship which has great reward with Allah Almighty. Allah has commanded to return to the orphan and the destitute their rights but there should be a method of return and fulfilling them?

He said the western world, claiming to be the greatest champion of human rights, has not been able to give rights in comparison to Islam, which the orphan rightly deserves. This was because of the universal teachings of Islam which no other religion has. He said the Holy Quran has given very clear command to provide for the orphan in a better way in regard to the fulfillment of rights of the orphan. He said the orphan should be supported and helped in a manner that it does not affect their self respect. Many institutions were working in this field aimed at helping the poor. Complying with this command, the Minhaj Welfare Foundation has also established an institution by the name of ‘Aagosh’, which was engaged in serving the less privileged sections of society. There was a dire need to set up more institutions in the country to alleviate the suffering of these marginalized people.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said we should try to reserve a particular share from our wealth for the downtrodden and orphan people. Allah Almighty has described it to be worship higher in value than offering prayer and performing Hajj. Referring to a Prophetic tradition, he said that once the Holy Prophet (saw) was going for the Eid prayer, he came across a weeping child. He brought that child home, gave him good clothes to wear and took him for Eid prayer. This is the role model we should follow. He said worship has no meaning if it is not put to use for the welfare of poor and needy people. He said it was for this purpose that MQI started the project of ‘Aagosh’, where orphan children were residing. A new building was being constructed to meet the future needs with millions of rupees. We would leave no stone unturned unless we return the impoverished sections of society their rights.

Play this  lecture here -