So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him]

The Canopy of Justice in Islam
Islam’s justice protects the weak, nurtures the young, secures their rights, and organizes their relationships so that no weak person is humiliated for their weakness, nor is any helpless individual wronged for their incapacity.
Islam establishes clear rights and duties, conveyed through the pages of the Quran and the records of the Sunnah. Neglecting these is among the major sins, and abandoning them leads to ruin. Allah paired many of these rights with the command to worship Him alone, underscoring their significance and the gravity of neglecting them.
One of these rights is the ancient duty of sponsoring and caring for orphans, a need that has become increasingly urgent today amidst the struggles, wars, and calamities faced by many Muslims.

Orphanhood: A Trial and Tribulation
An orphan is one who has lost their father before reaching puberty. There is no orphanhood after puberty. Orphans are among the weak and may also be among the helpless, having lost the support and protection of their father. They are often left with a mother who is weaker and more vulnerable, requiring someone to care for her and her children.
If such individuals are neglected and left without care, they grow up with a rebellious nature and alienated thoughts, feeling no bond with their community. They may fall prey to corrupt hands and evil souls, becoming tools of destruction, sources of discord in society, or centers of terrorism and moral decay, threatening society's peace and security.

The Quran and Orphan Care
The Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasize the care of orphans, providing them with guidance, education, protection, and ensuring they are not harmed or mistreated.
In the Quran, over twenty verses address orphans:

• Sometimes linking their rights with the right of Allah:
  “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, and the needy...” (An-Nisa 4:36)

• Sometimes warning against harming orphans:
  “So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].” (Ad-Duha 93:9)
  “No! But you do not honor the orphan, and you do not encourage one another to feed the poor.” (Al-Fajr 89:17-18)

• Sometimes making the mistreatment of orphans a sign of disbelief:
  “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan.” (Al-Ma’un 107:1-2)

• Other times warning against consuming the wealth of orphans unjustly:
  “And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity.” (Al-An’am 6:152)
  “And give the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is a great sin.” (An-Nisa 4:2)

• And Allah warns those who consume the wealth of orphans unjustly:
  “Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze.” (An-Nisa 4:10)

• Furthermore, Allah encourages kindness, compassion, and spending on orphans, describing it as a trait of the righteous:
  “And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.’” (Ad-Dahr 76:8-9)

• Allah also mentions that supporting orphans aids in overcoming the trials of the Day of Judgment:
  “But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave or feeding on a day of severe hunger an orphan of near relationship.” (Al-Balad 90:11-15)

Avoiding the Major Sins
The Prophet (peace be upon him) counted consuming the wealth of orphans unjustly among the seven destructive sins:
“Avoid the seven destructive sins.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He said, “Associating others with Allah, magic, killing a soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, consuming interest, consuming the property of an orphan, fleeing on the day of battle, and slandering chaste, innocent women.” (Agreed upon)

The Prophet also emphasized the rights of the weak, including orphans and women:
“O Allah, I declare inviolable the rights of the two weak ones: the orphan and the woman.” (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim)

The Benefits of Sponsoring Orphans

1. Companionship with the Prophet in Paradise
   “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” indicating with his index and middle fingers and separating them slightly. (Bukhari)

2. Softening the Heart
   The Prophet said: “Do you wish for your heart to be softened and your needs to be met? Show mercy to the orphan, pat his head, and feed him from your food. Your heart will be softened, and your needs will be fulfilled.” (Tabarani, Hasan)

3. Protection for Your Offspring
   Allah says: “And let those [executors and guardians] have the same fear [of Allah] as they would if they had left weak offspring behind and feared for them. So let them fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” (An-Nisa 4:9)

These are some of the rewards and benefits of orphan sponsorship in this life and the hereafter. Know them, act upon them, and you will achieve happiness in both worlds.