What are the rights of the orphan?
ما هي حقوق اليتيم؟
Islam mandates strict legal and moral safeguards for orphans. These rights are not merely suggestions but are divine commands aimed at ensuring justice, prosperity, and kindness for those who have lost their primary provider.
يفرض الإسلام ضمانات قانونية وأخلاقية صارمة للأيتام. هذه الحقوق ليست مجرد اقتراحات بل هي أوامر إلهية تهدف إلى ضمان العدالة والازدهار واللطف لأولئك الذين فقدوا معيلهم الأساسي.
1. Protection and Growth of Wealth | حماية وتنمية مال اليتيم
The orphan's money should be protected, and it is highly desirable that the trustees invest the money for the benefit of the orphan. Allah Almighty says: (And do not come near the wealth of the orphan unless intending to enhance it until they attain maturity) Surah Al An'am 6: 152.
يجب حفظ مال اليتيم من الضياع كما يستحب الإتجار به لمصلحة اليتيم، لقوله تعالى: (وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ) الأنعام 6: 152.
2. Trusteeship and Legal Competence | الوصاية والأهلية
One must protect the orphan's money, and the orphan must be prevented from spending it, for his own interest and that of his family, until the orphan reaches the age of sound judgment.
Allah Almighty says: (Do not entrust the incapable among your dependants with your wealth which Allah has made a means of support for you but feed and clothe them from it, and speak to them kindly. Test the competence of the orphans until they reach a marriageable age. Then if you feel they are capable of sound judgment, return their wealth to them. And do not consume it wastefully and hastily before they grow up to demand it. If the guardian is well off, they should not take compensation; but if the guardian is poor, let them take a reasonable provision. When you give orphans back their property, call in witnesses. And sufficient is Allah as a vigilant Reckoner.) Surah An Nisa'a 4: 6.
تجب الوصاية على مال اليتيم، ويجب منعه في التصرف به بما يحقق المصلحة والخير له ولأهله، حتى يبلغ اليتيم سن الرشد.
قال الله تعالى: (وَلَا تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمُ الَّتِي جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَامًا وَارْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَاكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا * وَابْتَلُوا الْيَتَامَىٰ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغُوا النِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ آنَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْدًا فَادْفَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَا إِسْرَافًا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكْبَرُوا ۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا) النساء 4: 6.
3. Caring for Needs and Interests | القيام على المصالح
Caring for his interests involves shoving off anything harmful, obtaining what is good for them, and fulfilling their needs. Allah Almighty says: (And they ask you O Prophet concerning orphans. Say, Improving their condition is best. And if you partner with them, they are bonded with you in faith. And Allah knows who intends harm and who intends good.) Surah Al Baqara 2: 220.
القيام على مصالحه بدفع الشرور عنه وجلب المصالح وقضاء الحاجات. قال الله تعالى: (وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَىٰ ۖ قُلْ إِصْلَاحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ) البقرة 2: 220.
Scholarly Insight: Islamic jurisprudence emphasizes that the role of the guardian or trustee over an orphan is that of a servant, not a master. You are entrusted with their wealth to act in their best interest, not to enrich yourself. The Quranic permission to "partner with them" (mix your affairs with theirs) is granted only if the intention is to "improve their condition," highlighting that any association with an orphan's affairs must be governed by a sincere desire for their well being and spiritual benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Can a guardian invest an orphan's money?
Yes. It is considered highly desirable for a trustee to invest the orphan's money in ways that are safe and beneficial to increase it for them, provided the intention is purely to enhance their wealth.
When should the wealth be returned to the orphan?
The wealth must be returned to the orphan once they reach the age of sound judgment (the age of marriageability and maturity/competence), ensuring they have the ability to manage their own affairs responsibly.
Can a poor guardian take payment from the orphan's wealth?
If the guardian is well off, they must be honorable and refrain from taking any compensation. However, if the guardian is poor, the Quran permits them to take a reasonable, fair provision for their work.