56/0. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 3019a — Reasonable Use of Orphan Property
The Book of Commentary on the Qur'an
Hadith About Orphan Property and Reasonable Use
Sahih Muslim : 3019a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 3019a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، فِي قَوْلِهِ { وَمَنْ كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ} قَالَتْ أُنْزِلَتْ فِي وَالِي مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ الَّذِي يَقُومُ عَلَيْهِ وَيُصْلِحُهُ إِذَا كَانَ مُحْتَاجًا أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مِنْهُ .
A'isha Narrated from:
In connection with His (Allah's) words: " And whoever is poor let him take reasonably (out of it)" that it was revealed in connection with the custodian of the property of an orphan, who is in charge of her and looks after her; In case he is poor, he is allowed to eat out of that.
[3] An-Nisâ' 4:6.Reference : Sahih Muslim 3019aIn-book reference : Book 56, Hadith 11USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 43, Hadith 7161
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 3019a
This hadith about orphan property explains 'A'isha's comment on Allah's words: Whoever is poor, let him take reasonably out of it. She says the verse was revealed about the custodian of an orphan's property. This person is in charge of the orphan, looks after the property, and improves it. If he is poor, he is allowed to eat from it. The important limit in the text is reasonableness. The narration does not open the door to careless use of an orphan's wealth. It speaks about a custodian who is actually caring for and managing the property. The main lesson is balanced: the orphan's property must be protected, and a needy caretaker may take only in a reasonable way.
What we learn from this hadith
- The orphan's property is a trust under the custodian's care.
- A poor caretaker may take from it only in a reasonable way.
- The allowance is tied to looking after and improving the orphan's property.
