Fatherless Children’s Wealth

 

Property of the Orphans (L-507)

وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًاكَبِيرًا 2.

2.  Wa  ‘aatul-yataamaaa  ‘am-waalahum  wa  laa  tatabadda-lul-khabiisa  bit-tayyib.  Wa laa  ta’-kuluuu  ‘am-waala-hum  ‘ilaaa  ‘amwaalikum.  ‘Innahuu  kaana  huuban- kabiiraa.

2.  And give orphans their properties, and do not substitute the bad for the good. And do not consume their properties by combining them with yours, for that would be a serious sin.

It is evident from the name of this Chapter “’An-Nisaaa’ ” that the matters regarding the women will be discussed in it especially along with their rights and duties. Therefore, in the primary verses, at first, it has been cleared that the birth of man and woman takes place from the same one body. Consequently, sobriety and God-fearing should be considered as actual standard of excellence, and treat all of them with kindness and kinship.

Now in the second verse, it is being commanded, “Do not seize the wealth of orphans.” Committing so is; just like mixing up the impure in to the pure. If any person uses the wealth of orphan unlawfully, as though, he is making his lawful and pure earnings also as unlawful, impure and bad. As any person makes water-filled glass impure by putting a few drops of urine in to it, likewise by taking over (snatching through any means) insignificant and a little wealth of the orphan, he makes unlawful entire earning of his life.

Purpose of revelation of this verse is described so, that there was excessive wealth of a person’s orphan nephew in his care. When his nephew became adult, he demanded his wealth, but his uncle denied to hand him over. At that occasion, this verse was revealed, after listening to it the uncle returned his orphan nephew’s wealth and said, “We obey God and His Messenger (ﷺ)”.  

It has also been described that it does not mean that snatching the wealth of other than orphan is lawful and you would not be punished. No! Wealth of others is unlawful for you too, whether he/she is anyone. By saying this sin huuban- kabiiraa (a great sin), the importance of the reality of sin and badness has been cleared, so that nobody may remain in any doubt.

At first; treating the relatives with kindness, mercy and kinship was emphasized, then behavior with the orphans was explained and at the end, it has been advised to correct the affairs with the entire children of Adam (Peace be upon him). It is the actual Spirit of Islam. https://youtu.be/9buiegbeYuM