Rulings on the Orphan in the Quran

Verses: "Give the orphans their wealth, and do not exchange the bad for the good." (4:2); "Those who devour the wealth of orphans unjustly — they are only consuming fire into their bellies." (4:10)

Legal definition of orphan: One whose father has died before reaching puberty — there is no orphan status after puberty (hadith).

Rulings derived:

1. Protecting the wealth: "Do not consume it extravagantly before they grow up" (4:6) — forbidden to consume under any pretext before maturity.
2. Testing before handover: "Test the orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if you find sound judgment, hand over their wealth." (4:6)
3. Witnessing at handover: "Call witnesses over them" — Sharia documentation for protection.
4. Guardian's wage: A guardian in need may take reasonably — "Whoever is poor may take in accordance with what is reasonable." (4:6)

Severe warning: Consuming orphan's wealth is among the seven cardinal sins — "they are consuming fire into their bellies" — a metaphor for punishment on the Day of Judgment.