Surah Al Isra Tafseer

The Command to handle the Orphan's Wealth properly and to be Honest in Weights and Measures

Allah says;

وَلَا تَقْرَبُواْ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ

And come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength.

meaning, do not dispose of the orphan's wealth except in a proper manner.

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَأ إِسْرَافاً وَبِدَاراً أَن يَكْبَرُواْ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيّاً فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيراً فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ

but consume it (the orphan's property) not wastefully and hastily fearing that they should grow up, 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 (according to his labor). (4:6)

In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah said to Abu Dharr:

يَا أَبَا ذَرَ إِنِّي أَرَاكَ ضَعِيفًا وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ لَكَ مَا أُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِي لَاا تَأَمَّرَنَّ عَلَى اثْنَيْنِ وَلَاا تَوَلَّيَنَّ مَالَ الْيَتِيم

O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak (in administering), and I like for you that which I like for myself. Do not let yourself be appointed as Amir over two people, and do not let yourself be appointed as guardian of an orphan's property.

وَأَوْفُواْ بِالْعَهْدِ

And fulfill (every) covenant.

meaning, everything that you promise people, and the covenants that you agree to, because the person who makes a covenant or a promise will be asked about it:

إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْوُولاً

Verily, the covenant will be questioned about