—may Allah be pleased with her—had placed the wealth of Muḥammad ibn Abī Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, into a trading venture. ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, likewise said: “Invest the property of orphans in commerce so that it is not consumed by the payment of charity.”

In addition, the guardian spends on the orphan from the orphan’s own assets in a reasonable manner.

Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “It is recommended to honor the orphan, bring joy to him, and shield him from indignity; mending his heart is among the greatest of his interests.” End quote.

The guardian may purchase a sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyah) for the orphan out of his wealth if the orphan is well-off, for the Day of Sacrifice is one of happiness and celebration. He may likewise pay a teacher from the orphan’s funds so that the child can be educated, for this, too, is in the orphan’s best interest.

If, on the other hand, the guardian is poor, he may take from the orphan’s property an amount equivalent to the wage he would normally receive for the services he renders in managing it. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “And whoever is poor—let him eat in a fair manner” (Q 4:6); meaning, whoever is in need of provisions while safeguarding and tending to the orphan’s wealth may partake of it in a reasonable way.

Imām Ibn Kathīr said, “This verse was revealed concerning the custodian of the orphan who looks after him and puts his affairs in order: if he is needy, he may eat from the orphan’s wealth.” ʿĀʾishah said: “This verse was revealed…"