4:6 An-Nisaa (The Women)

الابتلاء: هو الاختبار والامتحان، وذلك بأن يدفع لليتيم المقارب للرشد، الممكن رشده، شيئا من ماله، ويتصرف فيه التصرف اللائق بحاله، فيتبين بذلك رشده من سفهه، فإن استمر غير محسن للتصرف لم يدفع إليه ماله، بل هو باق على سفهه، ولو بلغ عمرا كثيرا. فإن تبين رشده وصلاحه في ماله وبلغ النكاح { فَادْفَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ } كاملة موفرة. { وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَا إِسْرَافًا } أي: مجاوزة للحد الحلال الذي أباحه الله لكم من أموالكم، إلى الحرام الذي حرمه الله عليكم من أموالهم. { وَبِدَارًا أَنْ يَكْبَرُوا } أي: ولا تأكلوها في حال صغرهم التي لا يمكنهم فيها أخذها منكم، ولا منعكم من أكلها، تبادرون بذلك أن يكبروا، فيأخذوها منكم ويمنعوكم منها. وهذا من الأمور الواقعة من كثير من الأولياء، الذين ليس عندهم خوف من الله، ولا رحمة ومحبة للمولى عليهم، يرون هذه الحال حال فرصة فيغتنمونها ويتعجلون ما حرم الله عليهم، فنهى الله تعالى عن هذه الحالة بخصوصها.

وقوله تعالى "وابتلوا اليتامى" قال ابن عباس ومجاهد والحسن والسدي ومقاتل أي اختبروهم "حتى إذا بلغوا النكاح" قال مجاهد يعني الحلم. قال الجمهور من العلماء البلوغ في الغلام تارة يكون بالحلم وهو أن يرى في منامه ما ينزل به الماء الدافق الذي يكون منه الولد. وفي سنن أبي داود عن علي قال حفظت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "لا يتم بعد احتلام ولا صمات يوم إلى الليل". وفي الحديث الآخر عن عائشة وغيرها من الصحابة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال "رفع القلم عن ثلاثه الصبي حتى يحتلم أو يستكمل خمس عشرة سنة. وعن النائم حتى يستيقظ وعن المجنون حتى يفيق" وأخذوا ذلك من الحديث الثابت في الصحيحين عن ابن عمر قال: عرضت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم أحد وأنا ابن أربع عشرة فلم يجزني وعرضت عليه يوم الخندق وأنا ابن خمس عشرة سنة فأجازني. فقال عمر بن عبدالعزيز لما بلغه هذا الحديث إن هذا الفرق بين الصغير والكبير واختلفوا في نبات الشعر الخشن حول الفرج وهى الشعرة هل يدل على بلوغ أم لا؟ على ثلاثة أقوال يفرق في الثالث بين صبيان المسلمين فلا يدل على ذلك لاحتمال المعالجة وبين صبيان أهل الذمة فيكون بلوغا في حقهم لأنه لا يتعجل بها إلى ضرب الجزية عليه فلا يعالجها والصحيح أنها بلوغ في الجميع لأن هذا أمر جبلي يستوي فيه الناس واحتمال المعالجة بعيد ثم قد دلت السنة على ذلك في الحديث الذي رواه الإمام أحمد على عطية القرظي قال عرضنا على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم قريظة فأمر من ينظر من أنبت فكان من أنبت قتل ومن لم ينبت خلي سبيله فكنت فيمن لم ينبت فخلي سبيلي وقد أخرجه أهل السنن الأربعة بنحوه وقال الترمذي حسن صحيح وإنما كان كذلك لأن سعد بن معاذ كان قد حكم فيهم بقتل المقاتلة وسبي الذرية. وقال أبو عبيد في الغريب حدثنا ابن علية عن إسماعيل بن أمية عن محمد بن يحيى بن حبان عن عمر أن غلاما ابتهر جارية في شعره فقال عمر انظروا إليه فلم يوجد أنبت فدرأ عنه الحد قال أبو عبيد ابتهرها أي قذفها والابتهار أن يقول فعلت بها وهو كاذب. فإن كان صادقا فهو الابتيار قال الكميت في شعره. قبيح بمثلي نعت الفتاة إما ابتهارا وإما ابتيارا وقوله عز وجل "فإن آنستم منهم رشدا فادفعوا إليهم أموالهم" قال سعيد بن جبير يعني صلاحا في دينهم وحفظا لأموالهم وكذا روى عن ابن عباس والحسن البصري وغير واحد من الأئمة وهكذا قال الفقهاء إذا بلغ الغلام مصلحا لدينه وماله انفك الحجر عنه فيسلم إليه ماله الذي تحت يد وليه وقوله "ولا تأكلوها إسرافا وبدارا أن يكبروا" ينهي تعالى "عن أكل أموال اليتامى من غير حاجة ضرورية "إسرافا وبدارا" أي مبادرة قبل بلوغهم. ثم قال تعالى "ومن كان غنيا فليستعفف" عنه ولا يأكل منه شيئا. وقال الشعبي: هو عليه كالميتة والدم "ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" قال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا الأشج حدثنا عبدالله بن سليمان حدثنا هشام عن أبيه عن عائشة "ومن كان غنيا فليستعفف" نزلت في مال اليتيم. حدثنا الأشج وهارون بن إسحاق قال: حدثنا عبدة بن سليمان عن هشام عن أبيه عن عائشة "ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" نزلت في والي اليتيم الذي يقوم عليه ويصلحه إذا كان محتاجا أن يأكل منه. وحدثنا أبي حدثنا محمد بن سعيد الأصبهاني حدثنا علي بن مسهر عن هشام عن أبيه عن عائشة قالت: أنزلت هذه الآية في والي اليتيم "ومن كان غنيا فليستعفف ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" بقدر قيامه عليه. ورواه البخاري عن إسحاق بن عبدالله بن نمير عن هشام به. قال الفقهاء: له أن يأكل من أقل الأمرين أجرة مثله أو قدر حاجته. واختلفوا هل يرد إذا أيسر؟ على قولين "أحدهما" لا لأنه أكل بأجرة عمله وكان فقيرا ; وهذا هو الصحيح عند أصحاب الشافعي لأن الآية أباحت الأكل من غير بدل. قال أحمد: حدثنا عبدالوهاب حدثنا حسين عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده أن رجلا سأل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ليس لي مال ولي يتيم ؟ فقال " كل من مال يتيمك غير مسرف ولا مبذر ولا متأثل مالا ومن غير أن تقي مالك - أو قال - تفدي مالك بماله" شك حسين. وقال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا أبو سعيد الأشج حدثنا أبو خالد الأحمر حدثنا حسين المكتب عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده قال جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: إن عندي يتيما عنده مال وليس لي مال آكل من ماله ؟ قال " كل بالمعروف غير مسرف ". ورواه أبو داود والنسائي وابن ماجه من حديث حسين المعلم وروى ابن حبان في صحيحه وابن مردويه في تفسيره من حديث يعلى بن مهدي عن جعفر بن سليمان عن أبي عامر الخزاز عن عمرو بن دينار عن جابر أن رجلا قال: يا رسول الله مما أضرب يتيمي؟ قال "مما كنت ضاربا منه ولدك غير واق مالك بماله ولا متأثل منه مالا" وقال ابن جرير: حدثنا الحسن بن يحيى أخبرنا عبدالرزاق أخبرنا الثوري عن يحيى بن سعيد عن القاسم بن محمد قال: جاء أعرابي إلى ابن عباس فقال: إن في حجري أيتاما وإن لهم إبلا ولي إبل وأنا أمنح من إبلي فقراء فماذا يحل لي من ألبانها؟ فقال: إن كنت تبغي ضالتها وتهنأ جرباها وتلوط حوضها وتسعى عليها فاشرب غير مضل بنسل ولا ناهك في الحب ورواه مالك في موطئه عن يحيى بن سعيد به. وبهذا القول وهو عدم أداء البدل يقول عطاء أبي رباح وعكرمة وإبراهيم النخعي وعطية العوفي والحسن البصري. "والثاني" نعم لأن مال اليتيم على الحظر وإنما أبيح للحاجة فيرد بدله كأكل مال الغير للمضطر لا عند الحاجة. وقد قال ابن أبي الدنيا: حدثنا ابن خيثمة حدثنا وكيع عن سفيان وإسرائيل عن أبي إسحاق عن حارثه بن مضرب قال: قال عمر رضي الله عنه: إنى أنزلت نفسي من هذا المال منزلة والي اليتيم إن استغنيت استعففت وإن احتجت استقرضت فإذا أيسرت قضيت. طريق أخرى قال سعيد بن منصور: حدثنا أبو الأحوص عن أبي إسحاق عن البراء قال: قال لي عمر رضي الله عنه: إنما أنزلت نفسي من مال الله بمنزلة والي اليتيم إن احتجت أخذت منه فإذا أيسرت رددته وإن استغنيت استعففت إسناد صحيح. وروى البيهقي عن ابن عباس نحو ذلك. وهكذا رواه ابن أبي حاتم من طريق علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس في قوله "ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" يعني القرض. قال وروى عن عبيدة وأبي العالية وأبي وائل وسعيد بن جبير في إحدى الروايات ومجاهد والضحاك والسدي نحو ذلك. وروى من طريق السدي عن عكرمة عن ابن عباس في قوله"فليأكل بالمعروف" قال يأكل بثلاث أصابع ثم قال حدثنا أحمد بن سنان حدثنا ابن مهدي عن سفيان عن الحكم عن مقسم عن ابن عباس "ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" قال يأكل من ماله يقوت على نفسه حتى لا يحتاج إلى مال اليتيم. قال وروى عن مجاهد وميمون بن مهـران في إحدى الروايات والحاكم نحو ذلك. وقال عامر الشعبي لا يأكل منه إلا أن يضطر إليه كما يضطر إلى الميتة فإن أكل منه قضاه رواه ابن أبي حاتم. وقال ابن وهب حدثنا نافع بن أبى نعيم القاري قال سألت يحيى بن سعيد الأنصاري وربيعة عن قول الله تعالى "ومن كان فقيرا فليأكل بالمعروف" الآية. فقال ذلك في اليتيم إن كان فقيرا أنفق عليه بقدر فقره ولم يكن للولى منه شيء وهذا بعيد من السياق لأنه قال "ومن كان غنيا فليستعفف" يعني من الأولياء ومن كان فقيرا أي منهم فليأكل بالمعروف أى بالتي هي أحسن كما قال في الآية الأخرى "ولا تقربوا مال اليتيم إلا بالتي هي أحسن حتى يبلغ أشده" أي لا تقربوه إلا مصلحين له فإن احتجتم إليه أكلتم منه بالمعروف. وقوله فإذا دفعتم إليهم أموالهم يعني بعد بلوغهم الحلم وإيناسكم الرشد منهم فحينئذ سلموا إليهم فإذا دفعتم إليهم أموالهم "فأشهدوا عليهم" وهذا أمر من الله تعالى للأولياء أن يشهدوا على الأيتام إذا بلغوا الحلم وسلموا إليهم أموالهم لئلا يقع من بعضهم جحود وإنكار لما قبضه وتسلمه ثم قال "وكفى بالله حسيبا" أي وكفى بالله محاسبا وشاهدا ورقيبا على الأولياء في حال نظرهم للأيتام وحال تسليمهم لأموالهم هل هي كاملة موفرة أو منقوصة مبخوسة مروج حسابها مدلس أمورها؟ الله عالم بذلك كله. ولهذا ثبت في صحيح مسلم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال " يا أبا ذر إني أراك ضعيفا وإني أحب لك ما أحب لنفسي لا تأمرن على اثنين ولا تلين مال يتيم".

Holding the Property of the Unwise in Escrow

Allah prohibited giving the unwise the freedom to do as they wish with wealth, which Allah has made as a means of support for people. This ruling sometimes applies because of being young, as young people are incapable of making wise decisions. It also applies in cases of insanity, erratic behavior and having a weak intellect or religious practice. It applies in cases of bankruptcy, when the debtors ask that the property of a bankrupt person is put in escrow, when his debts cannot be paid off with his money. Ad-Dahhak reported that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah's statement,

وَلاَ تُؤْتُواْ السُّفَهَآءَ أَمْوَلَكُمُ

(And give not unto the unwise your property) refers to children and women. Similar was also said by Ibn Mas`ud, Al-Hakam bin `Uyaynah, Al-Hasan and Ad-Dahhak: "Women and boys." Sa`id bin Jubayr said that `the unwise' refers to the orphans. Mujahid, `Ikrimah and Qatadah said; "They are women."

Spending on the Unwise with Fairness

Allah said,

وَارْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَاكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُواْ لَهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفاً

(but feed and clothe them therewith, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Do not give your wealth, what Allah has made you responsible for and made a means of sustenance to you, to your wife or children. Rather, hold on to your money, take care of it, and be the one who spends on them for clothes, food and provision." Mujahid said that the Ayah,

وَقُولُواْ لَهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفاً

(and speak to them words of kindness and justice.) refers to kindness and keeping good relations. This honorable Ayah commands kind treatment, in deed, with family and those under one's care. One should spend on them for clothes and provisions, and be good to them, such as saying good words to them.

Giving Back the Property of the Orphans When They Reach Adulthood

Allah said,

وَابْتَلُواْ الْيَتَـمَى

(And test orphans) meaning, test their intelligence, as Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, As-Suddi and Muqatil bin Hayyan stated.

حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغُواْ النِّكَاحَ

(until they reach the age of marriage), the age of puberty, according to Mujahid. The age of puberty according to the majority of scholars comes when the child has a wet dream. In his Sunan, Abu Dawud recorded that `Ali said, "I memorized these words from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ,

«لَا يُتْمَ بَعْدَ احْتِلَامٍ، وَلَا صُمَاتَ يَوْمٍ إِلَى اللَّيْل»

(There is no orphan after the age of puberty nor vowing to be silent throughout the day to the night.) In another Hadith, `A'ishah and other Companions said that the Prophet said,

«رُفِعَ الْقَلَمُ عَنْ ثَلَاثَةٍ، عَنِ الصَّبِيِّ حَتَّى يَحْتَلِمَ، وَعَنِ النَّائِمِ حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِظَ، وَعَنِ الْمَجْنُونِ حَتَّى يُفِيق»

(The pen does not record the deeds of three persons: the child until the age of puberty, the sleeping person until waking up, and the senile until sane.) Or, the age of fifteen is considered the age of adolescence. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Ibn `Umar said, "I was presented in front of the Prophet on the eve of the battle of Uhud, while I was fourteen years of age, and he did not allow me to take part in that battle. But I was presented in front of him on the eve of the battle of Al-Khandaq (The Trench) when I was fifteen years old, and he allowed me (to join that battle)." `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz commented when this Hadith reached him, "This is the difference between a child and an adult." There is a difference of opinion over whether pubic hair is considered a sign of adulthood, and the correct opinion is that it is. The Sunnah supports this view, according to a Hadith collected by Imam Ahmad from `Atiyah Al-Qurazi who said, We were presented to the Prophet on the day of Qurizah, whoever had pubic hair was killed, whoever did not was left free to go, I was one of those who did not, so I was left free." The Four Sunan compilers also recorded similar to it. At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih." Allah's statement,

فَإِنْ ءَانَسْتُمْ مِّنْهُمْ رُشْداً فَادْفَعُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَلَهُمْ

(if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them,) Sa`id bin Jubayr said that this portion of the Ayah means, when you find them to be good in the religion and wise with their money. Similar was reported from Ibn `Abbas, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and others among the Imams. The scholars of Fiqh stated that when the child becomes good in the religion and wise concerning with money, then the money that his caretaker was keeping for him should be surrendered to him.

Poor Caretakers are Allowed to Wisely Spend from the Money of theOrphan Under Their Care, to Compensate for Their Work

Allah said,

وَلاَ تَأْكُلُوهَآ إِسْرَافاً وَبِدَاراً أَن يَكْبَرُواْ

(But consume it not wastefully and hastily, fearing that they should grow up.) Allah commands that the money of the orphan should not be spent unnecessarily,

إِسْرَافاً وَبِدَاراً

(Wastefully and hastily) for fear they might grow up. Allah also commands,

وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيّاً فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ

(And whoever among guardians is rich, he should take no wages,) Hence, the guardian who is rich and does not need the orphan's money, should not take any of it as wages.

وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيراً فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ

(but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable.) Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `A'ishah said, "This Ayah,

وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيّاً فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيراً فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ

(And whoever among guardians is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable.) was revealed about the guardian of the orphan and pertains to whatever work he does for the orphan's estate. " Al-Bukhari also collected this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amr bin Shu`ayb said that his father said that his father told him that a man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , "I do not have money, but I have an orphan under my care." The Messenger ﷺ said,

«كُلْ مِنْ مَالِ يَتِيمِكَ غَيْرَ مُسْرِفٍ وَلَا مُبَذِّرٍ وَلَا مُتَأَثِّلٍ مَالًا، وَمِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَقِيَ مَالَكَ أَوْ قَالَ تَفْدِيَ مَالَكَ بِمَالِه»

(Eat from your orphan's wealth without extravagance or wastefulness, or mixing it, and without saving your money by spending his.)" Allah said,

فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَلَهُمْ

(And when you release their property to them.) after they become adults, and you see that they are wise, then,

فَأَشْهِدُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ

(take a witness in their presence;) Allah commands the guardians of orphans to surrender the property of the orphans who become consenting adults, in the presence of witnesses, so that none of them denies the fact that he received his money. Allah said next,

وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ حَسِيباً

(and Allah is All-Sufficient in taking account.) meaning, Allah is sufficient as Witness, Reckoner and Watcher over their work for orphans, and when they surrender their money to them, whether their property was complete and whole, or deficient and less. Indeed, Allah knows all of that. In his Sahih, Muslim recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«يَا أَبَا ذَرَ إِنِّي أَرَاكَ ضَعِيفًا، وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ لَكَ مَا أُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِي، لَا تَأَمَّرَنَّ عَلَى اثْنَيْنِ، وَلَا تَلِيَنَّ مَالَ يَتِيم»

(O Abu Dharr! Verily, you are weak, and I love for you what I love for myself. Do not become a leader of two nor assume guardianship of an orphan's property.)

Try test well the orphans before reaching maturity with regard the duties of religion and before they can legally manage their own affairs until they reach the age of marrying that is until they have become eligible for it through puberty or legal age which according to al-Shāfi‘ī is the completion of fifteen years; then if you perceive in them maturity that is right judgement in matters of religion and their property deliver their property to them; consume it not O guardians wastefully without due merit and in haste that is hastening to expend it fearing lest they should grow up and become mature at which time you will be obliged to hand it over to them. If any man who is a guardian is rich let him be abstinent that is let him abstain from the orphan’s property and refrain from consuming it; if he is poor let him consume of it honourably that is in line with the wage for his work. And when you deliver to them the orphans their property take witnesses over them that they have received it and that you are absolved of the obligation so that if any dispute occurs you are able to refer to a clear proof this is a command intended for guidance. God suffices as a reckoner as a guardian of His creatures’ deeds and as a reckoner of these deeds the bā’ in bi’Llāhi is extra.

The injunction to test the ability and understanding of minors

Once we know from verse 5 that minors should not be entrusted with properties until such time that their ability to discern and decide stands proved, the injunctions to educate and test such children to determine their ability follow in the next verse (6) Verse 6: وَابْتَلُوا الْيَتَامَىٰ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغُوا النِّكَاحَ translated as 'and test the orphans until they reach marriageable age;' means that children, well before they become pubert and marriageable, should be tested through small assignments of buying and selling in order to determine their ability to conduct themselves in transactions on their own. This process of practical experimentation should continue right through upto the age of marriage-ability, that is, when they become pubert and mature. This is the time of special assessment. Now it should be determined if they have become smart and self-reliant in their affairs. Once this is sensed as 'dependable', it is time to hand over their property to them.

In short, given the nature of children and the factors involved in the growth of reason and intelligence among them, they have been divided in three stages. One: minority (before puberty). Two: After puberty. Three: After self-reliance, and discretion in conducting personal affairs (Rushd as opposed to Safahah). During the first stage, the guardians of children have been instructed to educate and train them by providing for them hands-on experience, that is, let them become smarter by conducting small dealings in buying and selling on their own. The expression: وَابْتَلُوا الْيَتَامَىٰ (and test the orphans) in this verse means exactly this. It is from here that Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) has deduced the ruling that the transactions of buying and selling entered into by minor children with the permission of their guardian are sound, valid and operative.

In accordance with the other injunction, when children become mature, pubert and marriageable, the guardian should check up their state of growth at that stage in terms of experience, intelligence and dealings, and once it becomes clear that they understand their profit and loss and handle their affairs and dealings in a satisfactory manner, their property should be handed over to them.

The Age of Maturity

Along with the injunction of maturity (بلوغ bulugh) in this verse, the Holy Qur'an has also answered the question as to the 'age' when a child would be taken as mature ( بالغ baligh) by saying: إِذَا بَلَغُوا النِّكَاحَ translated as 'until they reach marriage-ability'. Here, it has been indicated that real maturity is not tied up with any particular count of years. Rather, it depends on particular indicators and signs experienced by adults entering the threshold of adulthood. When, in terms of these indicators and signs, they would be regarded fit to marry, they would be considered mature, even if their age does not exceed thirteen or fourteen years. But, should it be that such signs of maturity just do not show up in some child, he shall be considered mature in terms of age, a position in which Muslim jurists vary. Some fix eighteen years for boys and seventeen for girls; some others have fixed fifteen years for both. With the Hanafiyyah, the fatwa is on the position that the boy and the girl shall both be considered mature under the Islamic law after they have completed their fifteenth year, irrespective of whether or not signs of maturity are found.

The Perception of Proper Understanding : How to find it? An Explanation of آنَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُ‌شْدًا

The injunction of the Qur'an is: 'then, if you perceive in them proper understanding, hand over to them their property.' Now, what is the time of this 'proper understanding' (rushd)? The Holy Qur'an has not elaborated on this final limit of time. Therefore, some Muslim jurists leaned towards favouring the view that the properties of children should not be handed over to them until it has been determined that they do have full and proper understanding. Instead, these will stay under the safe custody of the guardian as usual, even if this state of affairs continues for the rest of life.

But, in accordance with the verification of the issue by Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) at this point the absence of 'proper understanding' refers to the state affected by childhood. Within ten years after maturity, the effect of childhood is gone. So, there are fifteen years as the age of maturity (بلوغ bulugh) and ten years as the age of proper understanding (rushd). Once these 25 years are reached, such proper understanding is most likely to be achieved; something which was not possible due to the barriers of childhood, and later, younger years. Then, it should be noted that the Holy Qur'an uses the word, ‘rushdan’ in its indefinite form whereby it is suggesting that full understanding and perfect sense are not absolute conditions. A reasonable measure of understanding is also sufficient for this purpose on the basis of which their properties could be given to them. Therefore, even if perfect understanding has not been achieved despite the long wait of twenty five years, even then, their properties will be handed over to them. As far as perfect understanding and wisdom is concerned, there are people who do not get to achieve these throughout their entire lives. They always remain simple, innocent and rather shy and slow in conducting their practical dealings. They will not be deprived of their properties because of this. However, should there be someone totally insane, he will be governed by a separate rule since such a person always remains in the category of immature children. His property will never be handed over to him until his insanity disappears, even if his entire life were to pass in insanity.

The Prohibition of Undue Spending from the Property of Orphans

As we know, the verse instructs that the property of the orphans should not be handed over to them until a certain degree of under-standing and experience is perceived in them. Naturally, for this purpose, one will have to wait for some more time. In that case, it was probable that the guardian of the orphan could commit an excess against the interests of the orphan. So, the verse goes on to say:

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَا إِسْرَ‌افًا وَبِدَارً‌ا أَن يَكْبَرُ‌وا

And do not consume it extravagantly and hastily lest they should grow up.

Here, the guardians of the orphans have been prevented from two things: Firstly, from spending out of their property extravagantly, that is, from spending over and above normal needs; and secondly, from starting to spend out from their property way before the need to do so, as if in a hurry, thinking of the near future when their wards would grow up and their property would have to be given to them and the guardian's control will be all over.

The orphan's guardian, if needy, can take out some of his expenses from the orphan's property

Does a person, who spends his time and labour in the upbringing of an orphan and is devoted to the protection of his property, have the right to take an honorarium for his services from the property of the orphan? The rule is given towards the later part of the verse when it is said: وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ (And whoever is rich he should abstain). It means that a person who is need-free as he can take care of his needs through some other means, then, he should not take any payment for his services from the property of the orphan, because this service is an obligation on him. Receiving payment for it is not permissible. Then, it was said: وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرً‌ا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُ‌وفِ (and whoever is poor he should consume in fairness). It means that the guardian of an orphan who is poor and needy and has no other source of earning his livelihood, he can consume a reasonable amount from the property of the orphans for his sustenance in a measure that is just about right to cover his basic needs.

Having witnesses while handing over property

The verse concludes with فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِمْ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّـهِ حَسِيبًا : It means: 'when you hand over to them their property (after having gone through the period of test and trial), have (some reliable and pious people as) witnesses upon them (so that there is no dispute later). And (remember that) Allah is sufficient for reckoning (for He has a count of everything within His sight).

Payment for services rendered to country, community and Awqaf

The contextual extension of the verse yields an important juristic rule and principle. It concerns people who supervise Awqaf (religious endowments, trusts and estates) or manage mosques and religious schools or head institutions of Muslim states or hold charge of similar other services rendered for the country and community, services the rendering of which is known in Islamic terminology as فرض علی الکفایہ fard 'alal 'kifayah (an obligation which, if discharged by some, will absolve others). For these gentlemen too, the superior and more meritorious conduct is - of course, if they have sufficient assets to take care of the necessary expenses needed to maintain their family - that they should not take anything from these institutions or from the public exchequer of the government. But, should it be that they do not have funds of their own to sustain themselves and they devote their earning time to such service-oriented activities, then, they have the right to take such funds from these institutions in proportion to their need. Please do notice the condition which is: 'in proportion to need'. A lot of people fix an insignificant monthly emolument shown on paper to satisfy legal requirements but they go on spending by various other means on their person and on their family recklessly, much much beyond it. There is just no remedy for this lack of caution except the fear of Allah. The last words of the verse: وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّـهِ حَسِيبًا and Allah is sufficient for reckoning) invite everyone, masses or classes, to realize that the man who stays untouched by unlawful acquisitions will be the man who fears the final accounting by Allah. وباللہ التوفیق :And the ability to do so comes from Allah.

(Prove orphans�) [4:6]. This was revealed about Thabit ibn Rifa�ah and his uncle. Rifa�ah died when his son Thabit was very young. The uncle of Thabit went to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said: �The son of my brother is an orphan under my care, what is lawful for me from his wealth? And when should I give him back his wealth?� And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse.