Rights of Orphans
Total Hadiths 12
What Prophetic Hadiths Say About the Rights of Orphans
These prophetic traditions outline the profound responsibility of managing an orphan's affairs and protecting their property. A central theme is financial integrity; according to Islamic teachings, well-off guardians must abstain from taking wages from an orphan's wealth, while poor guardians may consume only what is just and reasonable for their basic needs. Scholars emphasize evaluating an orphan's best interests collectively and managing expenditures based on their individual needs. Because protecting an orphan's property requires immense care, the Prophet Muhammad famously advised those who are physically or emotionally weak to avoid taking on the guardianship of an orphan's estate. Ultimately, these hadiths urge honesty, as Allah knows who intends good from those who mean mischief.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ أَبُو النُّعْمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ إِنَّ نَاسًا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ نُسِخَتْ، وَلاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا نُسِخَتْ، وَلَكِنَّهَا مِمَّا تَهَاوَنَ النَّاسُ، هُمَا وَالِيَانِ وَالٍ يَرِثُ، وَذَاكَ الَّذِي يَرْزُقُ، وَوَالٍ لاَ يَرِثُ، فَذَاكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، يَقُولُ لاَ أَمْلِكُ لَكَ أَنْ أُعْطِيَكَ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Some people claim that the order in the above Verse is cancelled, by Allah, it is not cancelled, but the people have stopped acting on it. There are two kinds of guardians (who are in charge of the inheritance): One is that who inherits; such a person should give (of what he inherits to the relatives, the orphans and the needy, etc.), the other is that who does not inherit (e.g. the guardian of the orphans): such a person should speak kindly and say (to those who are present at the time of distribution), "I can not give it to you (as the wealth belongs to the orphans).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2759In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 22USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 21
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّلْتِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُدَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ السَّائِبِ - عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ {وَلاَ تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ} وَ{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا} قَالَ اجْتَنَبَ النَّاسُ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ وَطَعَامَهُ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَشَكَوْا ذَلِكَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى قُلْ إِصْلاَحٌ لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {لأَعْنَتَكُمْ}.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
When these Verses were revealed - 'And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it,' and 'Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans' - the people avoided the property and food of the orphans. That caused hardship to the Muslims and they complained about that to the Prophet.Then Allah revealed: 'And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows him who means mischief (e.g. to swallow their property) from him who means good (e.g. to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties.'
[1] Al-An'âm 7:152.[2] An-Nisâ' 4:10.[3] Al-Baqarah 2:220.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3669In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 59English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3699
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَطَاءُ بْنُ السَّائِبِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، فِي قَوْلِهِ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا} قَالَ كَانَ يَكُونُ فِي حِجْرِ الرَّجُلِ الْيَتِيمَ فَيَعْزِلُ لَهُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَآنِيَتَهُ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ {وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ} {فِي الدِّينِ} فَأَحَلَّ لَهُمْ خُلْطَتَهُمْ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said -concerning the Verse: "Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans" -A man would have an orphan in his care, and he would keep his food, drink and vessels separate. This caused hardship to the Muslims, so Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, revealed: "And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers" (in religion), so it is permissible for you to mix with them.
[4] An-Nisâ' 4:10.[1] Al-Baqarah 2:220.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3670In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 60English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3700
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها – {وَمَنْ كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ وَمَنْ كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ}. قَالَتْ أُنْزِلَتْ فِي وَالِي الْيَتِيمِ أَنْ يُصِيبَ مِنْ مَالِهِ إِذَا كَانَ مُحْتَاجًا بِقَدْرِ مَالِهِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ.
A'isha Narrated from:
The following Verse:--"If a guardian is well-off, let him claim no remuneration (i.e. wages), but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable." (4.6)was revealed in connection with the guardian of an orphan, and it means that if he is poor he can have for himself (from the orphan's wealth) what is just and reasonable according to the orphan's share of the inheritance.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2765In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 28USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 27
وَقَالَ لَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ مَا رَدَّ ابْنُ عُمَرَ عَلَى أَحَدٍ وَصِيَّةً. وَكَانَ ابْنُ سِيرِينَ أَحَبَّ الأَشْيَاءِ إِلَيْهِ فِي مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ أَنْ يَجْتَمِعَ إِلَيْهِ نُصَحَاؤُهُ وَأَوْلِيَاؤُهُ فَيَنْظُرُوا الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ. وَكَانَ طَاوُسٌ إِذَا سُئِلَ عَنْ شَىْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْيَتَامَى قَرَأَ {وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ الْمُصْلِحِ}. وَقَالَ عَطَاءٌ فِي يَتَامَى الصَّغِيرُ وَالْكَبِيرُ يُنْفِقُ الْوَلِيُّ عَلَى كُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ بِقَدْرِهِ مِنْ حِصَّتِهِ.
Nafi Narrated from:
Ibn 'Umar never refused to be appointed as guardian. The most beloved thing to Ibn Sirin concerning an orphan's wealth was that the orphan's advisor and guardians would assemble to decide what is best for him. When Tawus was asked about something concerning an orphan's affairs, he would recite:'...And Allah knows him who means mischief from him who means good...' (V 2:220). 'Ata said concerning some orphans, "The guardian is to provide for the young and the old orphans according to their needs from their shares."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2767In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 30USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 28
أَخْبَرَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ أَبِي سَالِمٍ الْجَيْشَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِنِّي أَرَاكَ ضَعِيفًا وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ لَكَ مَا أُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِي لاَ تَأَمَّرَنَّ عَلَى اثْنَيْنِ وَلاَ تَوَلَّيَنَّ عَلَى مَالِ يَتِيمٍ ".
Abu Dharr Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'O Abu Dharr, I think that you are weak, and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not accept a position of Amir over two people, and do not agree to be the guardian of an orphan's property.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3667In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 57English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3697
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { وَلاَ تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ } وَ { إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا } الآيَةَ انْطَلَقَ مَنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ يَتِيمٌ فَعَزَلَ طَعَامَهُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ وَشَرَابَهُ مِنْ شَرَابِهِ فَجَعَلَ يَفْضُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ فَيُحْبَسُ لَهُ حَتَّى يَأْكُلَهُ أَوْ يَفْسُدَ فَاشْتَدَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَذَكَرُوا ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى قُلْ إِصْلاَحٌ لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ } فَخَلَطُوا طَعَامَهُمْ بِطَعَامِهِ وَشَرَابَهُمْ بِشَرَابِهِ .
Abdullah ibn Abbas Narrated from:
When Allah, Most High, revealed the verses: "Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it". And "Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans", everyone who had an orphan with him went and separated his food from his (orphan's) food, and his drink from his drink, and began to detain the remaining food which he (the orphan) himself ate or spoiled.This fell heavy on them, and they mentioned this to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). So Allah, Most High, revealed the verse: "They ask thee concerning orphans. Say: The best thing to do is what is for their good; if ye mix their affairs with yours, they are your brethren." Then they mixed their food with his food and their drink with his drink.
[1] Al-An'ām 6:152.[2] An-Nisā' 4:10.[1] Al-Baqarah 2:220.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 2871In-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 10English translation : Book 17, Hadith 2865
حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، أَنَّ خَالِدَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ، حَدَّثَهُمْ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنٌ، - يَعْنِي الْمُعَلِّمَ - عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنِّي فَقِيرٌ لَيْسَ لِي شَىْءٌ وَلِي يَتِيمٌ . قَالَ فَقَالَ " كُلْ مِنْ مَالِ يَتِيمِكَ غَيْرَ مُسْرِفٍ وَلاَ مُبَادِرٍ وَلاَ مُتَأَثِّلٍ " .
'Amr bin Shu'aib Narrated from:
Narrated 'Amr b. Suh'aib: On his father's authority, said that his grandfather told that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: I am poor, I have nothing (with me), and I have an orphan. He said: Use the property of your orphan without spending it lavishly, hurrying and taking it as your own property.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 2872In-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 11English translation : Book 17, Hadith 2866
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ الأَزْهَرِ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنٌ الْمُعَلِّمُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لاَ أَجِدُ شَيْئًا وَلَيْسَ لِي مَالٌ وَلِي يَتِيمٌ لَهُ مَالٌ قَالَ " كُلْ مِنْ مَالِ يَتِيمِكَ غَيْرَ مُسْرِفٍ وَلاَ مُتَأَثِّلٍ مَالاً " . قَالَ وَأَحْسِبُهُ قَالَ " وَلاَ تَقِي مَالَكَ بِمَالِهِ " .
'Amr bin Shu'aib Narrated from:
It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib from his father, that his a grandfather said: “A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: 'I do not have anything and I have no wealth, but I have an orphan (under my care) who has wealth.” He said: “Eat from the wealth of your orphan, without being extravagant or use it for trade.” He (narrator) said: “And I think he said: 'Do not preserve your wealth using his instead.'”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2718In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 24English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2718
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ حُسَيْنٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنِّي فَقِيرٌ لَيْسَ لِي شَىْءٌ وَلِي يَتِيمٌ. قَالَ " كُلْ مِنْ مَالِ يَتِيمِكَ غَيْرَ مُسْرِفٍ وَلاَ مُبَاذِرٍ وَلاَ مُتَأَثِّلٍ ".
'Amr bin Shu'aib Narrated from:
A man came to the Prophet and said: "I am poor and I do not have anything, and I have an orphan (under my care)." He said: "Eat from the property of your orphan without being extravagant, wasteful or keeping it as capital for yourself."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3668In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 58English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3698
