🧒 Raising children (tarbiyah) · #55
We are caring for an orphaned relative. What are the responsibilities and virtues?
The virtue is immense — the Prophet ﷺ promised that the guardian of an orphan will be close to him in Paradise — and the responsibilities are love, upbringing and looking after the child's property faithfully.
The Prophet ﷺ said: I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this, holding his index and middle fingers together (Sahih al-Bukhari 5304). Allah forbids harshness towards the orphan (ad-Duha 93:9) and gives a severe warning to whoever consumes an orphan's property unjustly (an-Nisa' 4:10). The child's inheritance must be managed separately and handed over when the child is grown and mature (an-Nisa' 4:6); keep a record of what is spent on the child. An orphan keeps the father's name, and ties with the family on both sides are maintained. Zakat and welfare assistance for orphans may be applied for. See Managing an estate and Zakat & welfare assistance.
The Prophet ﷺ said: I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this, holding his index and middle fingers together (Sahih al-Bukhari 5304). Allah forbids harshness towards the orphan (ad-Duha 93:9) and gives a severe warning to whoever consumes an orphan's property unjustly (an-Nisa' 4:10). The child's inheritance must be managed separately and handed over when the child is grown and mature (an-Nisa' 4:6); keep a record of what is spent on the child. An orphan keeps the father's name, and ties with the family on both sides are maintained. Zakat and welfare assistance for orphans may be applied for. See Managing an estate and Zakat & welfare assistance.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 5304Surah ad-Duha 93:9Surah an-Nisa' 4:10Surah an-Nisa' 4:6