56/0. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 3019b — Rich Guardians Abstain, Poor Take Reasonably
The Book of Commentary on the Qur'an
Hadith About Orphan Wealth and Guardian Restraint
Sahih Muslim : 3019b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 3019b
وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى { وَمَنْ كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ وَمَنْ كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ} قَالَتْ أُنْزِلَتْ فِي وَلِيِّ الْيَتِيمِ أَنْ يُصِيبَ مِنْ مَالِهِ إِذَا كَانَ مُحْتَاجًا بِقَدْرِ مَالِهِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ .
A'isha Narrated from:
In connection with the words of Allah, the Exalted: " He who is rich should abstain, and he who is poor may reasonably eat (out of it)" that this was revealed in relation to the guardian of an orphan who is poor; he may get out of that what is reasonable keeping in view his own status of solvency.
[1] An-Nisâ' 4:6.Reference : Sahih Muslim 3019bIn-book reference : Book 56, Hadith 12USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 43, Hadith 7162
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 3019b
This narration adds the fuller wording: the rich guardian should abstain, and the poor guardian may eat reasonably. 'A'isha explains that it was revealed about a poor guardian of an orphan. He may take from the orphan's property what is reasonable, keeping his own need in view. The hadith about orphan wealth gives a measured rule from the text itself. It does not praise taking from the orphan, and it does not ignore the poor guardian's need. It sets a difference between rich and poor: the rich should refrain, while the poor may take a reasonable amount. The teaching is about trust, need, and restraint.
What we learn from this hadith
- A wealthy guardian should avoid taking from the orphan's property.
- A poor guardian may take only what is reasonable for his situation.
- The report keeps the orphan's wealth under a trust-based limit.
