Etiquette & Sunnahs of Caring for Orphans (Kafalat al-Yatim) in the Quran & Sunnah

1. Mix with them as brothers — reform is the aim.

Allah says:

فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۗ وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ ۖ قُلْ إِصْلَاحٌ لَّهُمْ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَإِن تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدَ مِنَ ٱلْمُصْلِحِ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَعْنَتَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

on this world and the Hereafter. They ask you about the orphans. Say, “To work for their good is good. And if you live with them jointly, they are, after all, your brethren.”; and Allah knows the one who makes mischief, as distinct from the one who promotes good. And if Allah had wished, He would have put you in trouble. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:220)

When the Companions feared even mixing the orphan’s property with their own, Allah named mixing itself brotherhood — separation with coldness was never the command; honest care was.

2. Devouring the orphan’s wealth is eating fire.

Allah says:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا

Surely, those who unjustly devour the property of the orphans do nothing but devour fire into their bellies, and soon they shall enter a blazing Hell. (Surah An-Nisa 4:10)

The most terrifying image of financial sin in the Quran is kept for this one: those who consume the orphan’s property fill their bellies with fire.

3. “As for the orphan — do not oppress him.”

Allah says:

فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

Therefore, as for orphan, do not oppress him, (Surah Ad-Duha 93:9)

The command comes in the surah that reminded the Prophet ﷺ of his own orphaned childhood: the one who was found alone and sheltered does not turn away the one who stands where he stood.

1. Two fingers in Paradise.

Sahl ibn Sa‘d reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this” — and he raised his index and middle fingers together.

Lesson: No other charity in the Sunnah is pictured with two joined fingers: the orphan’s sponsor walks beside the Prophet ﷺ himself.

2. Whether the orphan is your own kin or a stranger’s.

Abu Hurayrah reported: “One who looks after the orphan — whether he is related to him or not — I and he will be in Paradise like this,” and Malik (the narrator) made the sign with his index and middle fingers.

Lesson: The promise is not limited to the orphan of one’s family; the stranger’s fatherless child carries the same two fingers.