concerning the guardian of the orphan: “And whoever is affluent, let him refrain; but whoever is poor, let him eat in a fair manner,” in proportion to the care he provides.

The jurists state that he may take whichever of the two amounts is less: either the customary wage for someone performing the same service or the sum that meets his actual need. It is related that a man came to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and said, “I am in charge of an orphan who possesses wealth, while I myself own nothing. May I consume some of his property?” He replied, “Eat from it in a reasonable way, without extravagance.”

Anything beyond this limit that Allah has permitted is unlawful to take from the orphan’s wealth, for Allah has threatened the severest punishment for doing so. He, Exalted is He, says: “Do not consume it wastefully and in haste lest they reach maturity” (Q 4:6); and He says: “Do not merge their wealth with your own, for that is indeed a great sin” (Q 4:2); and He says: “Those who wrongfully consume the property of orphans are only filling their bellies with fire, and they will burn in a blazing Flame” (Q 4:10).

Imām Ibn Kathīr remarked: “That is, when they consume the property of orphans without right, they are only eating fire that will rage in their stomachs on the Day of Resurrection.”

In the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections it is reported from Abū Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Avoid…"