30. DUTY TOWARDS ORPHANS

God says


Hence, render unto the orphans their possessions, and do not substitute bad things (of your own) for the good things (that belong to them) and do not consume their possessions together with your own: this verily, is a great crime. -- Q.4: 2

Behold, those who sinfully devour the possessions of orphans but fill their bellies with fire -- Q.4: 10

And do not touch the substance of an orphan- save to improve it -- before he comes to age*… Q.6: 152
*After the orphan in one’s charge has come to age, the former guardian may ”touch” his property, legally, by borrowing or utilizing it with the owner’s consent.

[The righteous] feed, for the love of God, the needy, the orphan and the captive* -- Q.76: 8
*Captive, apparently, includes the dumb animals dependent on man.



Prophet said

1. “The best house of a Muslim is one wherein there is an orphan who is treated well, and worst is one where there is an orphan who is treated badly” – H: Ibn Majah. N: Abu Hurairah

2. “Whoever gives shelter to an orphan and provides (him) with food and drink, to him God will guarantee paradise unless he has committed a sin which cannot be pardoned .…” --H: Baihaqi. N: Ibn Abbas.

3. “.…honour them as you honour your children, and give them food out of what you yourself eat…” – H: Ibn Majah. N: Abu Bakr Siddiq.

4. According to a Hadis reported by Bukhari on the authority of Sahal bin Sa’ad the Prophet had said that he and the caretaker of an orphan would be close to each other in paradise (like two fingers joined.)