He also said—may Allah sanctify his soul:

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Among human beings, an “orphan” is someone who has lost his father, for it is his father who shapes his character, provides for him, and protects him by virtue of his innate disposition. Hence, the child follows his father in religion, and his maintenance and custody are his father’s responsibility. Maintenance means provision, while “custody” means protection, since it consists of providing shelter and warding off harm.

When his father is gone, people are tempted to exploit him, for man is unjust and ignorant, while the victim is helpless and weak. The potential for wrongdoing thus increases: the incentive is strong, and the deterrent is weak. This produces two evils: harm to the orphan, who has no one to defend him and is shown no kindness; and wickedness on the part of the person who has nothing to restrain him.

For this reason, Allah has emphasized the importance of caring for orphans in many verses of His Book, such as His words:

“And when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship none but Allah, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy.’”

And His words:

“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west”

—up to His words—

“and gives wealth, in spite of his love for it, to relatives, orphans, and the needy.”

And His words:

“Say: Whatever wealth you spend is for parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy.”