Islam and Orphans

Any child (male or female) whose has no father or whose father has died and the child has not reached the age of understanding or marriage (+/- 16 years) will be classified as a ‘yateem’ or an orphan in Islamic Jurisprudence. The Arabic word for orphan is yatîm. Its linguistic meaning is simply "something that is singular and alone." When the word is used in the context of a human being, it means "a minor who has lost his or her father." When such a child reaches the age of majority – and we can define that as the time when the person acquires the ability to manage properly whatever money he or she might possess or come into possession of – then the person ceases to be an orphan as defined by Islamic Law. Alî bin Abî Tâlib relates that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "There is no orphan beyond the time of puberty, and there is no observing a day of devotional silence (in Islam)." [Sunan Abî Dâwûd (2489) and authenticated by Al-Albânî]  This hadîth is evidence that the legal status of being an orphan ends when the child ceases to be legally a minor. 

Islam has stressed the importance of supporting and caring for those who are disadvantaged in society, among them are orphans. The orphans are among those who need mercy and they ask from us to deal with them in good way! Islam shows a great deal of sympathy for orphans. The pure and true religion of Allah ordered its member to have mercy and to be merciful towards all creatures. If one does not show compassion and tenderness to the orphans, he/she is not a true Muslims. An orphan should not be repulsed, but should be treated kindly and gently. It is a great mistake to treat an orphan badly, but it is even worse to repulse him harshly, to humiliate him, or treat him unkindly. The Quran also gives concrete instructions to guardians regarding the orphans, particularly on how to protect their wealth and property rights.

Quranic verses on Orphans

    The word "orphan" is mentioned in the Quran 23 times in 12 different forms in 12 different surah or chapters.  The Quran in 19 verses forbids harsh and oppressive treatment of orphaned children while urging kindness and justice towards them

       Here are some examples of the teachings of the holy Quran regarding orphans:

     Our beloved prophet Muhammed (PBUH), was an orphan. His father died before his birth and his mother died when he was still a child. Therefore his uncle Abu Talib took care of him. Allah, had protected him, raised him and trained him properly.

·       In this regard Allah says: " Did He not find you (O Muhammed) an orphan and gave you refuge?" (93:6)

·       God says in the Qur’an (2:83): [and be good] to the orphans and the very poor, speak kindly to men, make prayer, and give in charity.

·       It is a part of righteousness to spend your wealth on them: "…It is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer…" (2:177)

·       Spend you wealth in charity and give the orphans: "They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for." (2:215)

·       Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 220:  Say: "The best thing to do is what is for their good.”

·       When they reach the age of maturity, they are to be given the command of their wealth: "To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your won. For this is indeed a great sin." (4: 2)

·       Another clarification as to when we should give them their property back: "Test the orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune. And devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up who so (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence…" (4:6)

·       It is a big sin to use the wealth of orphans for ourselves or for your family unjustly. In this regard Allah Says: "Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: They will soon be enduring a Blazing Fire." (4:10)

·       Take care of the orphans and be good to them: "Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers. The companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious." (4: 36)

·       To stand for justice for them: "…. As also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but God is well-acquainted therewith." (4:127)

·       In case there are some orphans happen to inherit a wealth, as in the case of the death of wealthy parents. Islam as a universal way of living that covered all aspects of life did not leave it up to the caretaker to abuse the wealth of the young orphan -or orphans. The caretaker is warned to be careful, honest and just about the orphan’s wealth and how to spend it to the orphan’s benefits. Now we share some ayat –verses- that teach us how to deal with orphans, in case we happen to be the caretakers of their wealth, and their goods: "…Come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve…"(6:152)

·       “And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily! the covenant, will be questioned about.”
[Al-Isra' 17:34]

·       True believers are devotees to Allah in everything they do: "They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide. And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive -(Saying): We feed you for the sake of Allah alone, no reward do we desire from you or thanks. We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord."(76: 7-10)

·       Allah informed us that bad dealing with orphans give bad result as he tells us: "And as for man, when his Lord tries him, then treats him with honor and makes him lead an easy life, he says: My Lord honors me. But when He tries him (differently), then straitens to him his means of subsistence, he says: My Lord has disgraced me. Nay! But you do not honor the orphan. Nor do you urge one another to feed the poor…" (89:15-18)

·       "Treat not the orphan with harshness" (Qur’an 93:9)

·       G’d says (105:1 – 7): Have you seen the one who rejects [the true spirit] of religion? That is he who repells the orphan. And does not advocate for the feeding of the very poor. Woe to you worshippers!

·       Those who pray yet are heedless. Those of them who strive to be seen [by men]. But neglect [societal] needs.

·       Harshness to orphans is a sign of a non-believer: "Have you considered him who calls the judgment a lie? That is the one who treats the orphan with harshness." (107:1-2)

        From the above verse, we also learn that it is good to take human witnesses when you faithfully discharge your trust; but remember that, however fully you satisfy your fellow-men when you give your account to them, there is a stricter account due from you to Allah. If you are righteous in Allah's eyes, you must follow these stricter standards.

 Hadiths regarding Orphans

·       Narrated Safwan bin Salim:  The Prophet said "The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person, is like a warrior fighting for Allah's Cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night." Narrated Abu Huraira that the Prophet said as above. Volume 8, Book 73, Number 35 Source

·       Narrated Abu Huraira:  The Prophet said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people!) asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What are they?" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to practice sorcery; to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law); to eat up usury (Riba), to eat up the property of an orphan; to give one's back to the enemy and freeing from the battle-field at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers." Volume 8, Book 82, Number 840Source

·       The one who takes care of an orphan is with me in paradise like this (like my two fingers, nearly touching each other). - Muslim and Bukhari. The important lesson Muslims have taken from this well-known Hadith is that to choose the companionship of an orphan is to choose the companionship of the Prophet himself (Allah bless him and give him peace).

·       Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reports that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) stated "Whoever caresses the head of an orphan (in affection), solely for the sake of Allah, a good deed will be written to his account for every hair over which he passed his hand."

·       In another Hadith he mentioned that when a person put his hand of compassion on the head of an orphan, for every hair of that orphan he will receive a blessing from Allah.

·       The best Muslim house is that in which an orphan, who is benefited; is and the worst Muslim house is that in which an orphan is ill-treated.

·       Abu Huraira narrated that a man came to Prophet Muhammad complaining about being hard hearted, so Prophet Muhammad advised him:“Tap on the heads of orphans, and feed the needy one.” (Ahmad)

·       Those who support orphans and the impoverished people will be honored by Allah.-Ali ibn Abu Talib

·       Finally, we shall end up with this authentic Hadith: Abu Huraira narrated that Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) said “He who looks after a widow and a needy person is like a fighter for the Cause of Allah.” He also said:"Like someone who stands up the night in prayer and worship and someone who is always fasting." (Bukhari)