وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْـُٔولًا 34
Translations
And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.
Transliteration
Wa lā taqrabū māla al-yatīmi illā bi-al-latī hiya ahsan hattā yablugha ashuddahu wa awfū bi-al-ahdi inn al-ahda kāna masūlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes two critical commandments: the protection of orphans' wealth and the fulfillment of covenants. Muslims are forbidden from approaching or misusing an orphan's property except in the best manner until they reach maturity (physical and intellectual development). Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that guardians must manage orphan wealth with utmost care and transparency, while Ibn Kathir notes the connection between protecting the vulnerable and honoring commitments, as both reflect obedience to Allah's covenant with humanity.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah that contains fundamental moral and legal principles. It addresses social justice concerns prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia, where orphans were often exploited and their wealth misappropriated. The placement alongside the commandment about covenants reflects the Quranic emphasis on maintaining trust in all human relationships, particularly with the most vulnerable members of society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best house among the Muslims is the house where an orphan is treated well, and the worst house among the Muslims is the house where an orphan is treated badly' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this' - while joining his index and middle fingers (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic ethics demand the highest standards of care for those unable to protect themselves, and that all commitments—whether to orphans, contracts, or divine promises—are serious obligations for which we will answer to Allah on the Day of Judgment. In modern contexts, it calls believers to examine how they handle wealth entrusted to them and to honor their word in all dealings.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِٱلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلرُّءْيَا ٱلَّتِىٓ أَرَيْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّجَرَةَ ٱلْمَلْعُونَةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ ۚ وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا طُغْيَـٰنًا كَبِيرًا
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when We told you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur’ān. And We threaten [i.e., warn] them, but it increases them not except in great transgression.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًا
Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا
But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allāh].
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ كَشْفَ ٱلضُّرِّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا تَحْوِيلًا
Say, "Invoke those you have claimed [as gods] besides Him, for they do not possess the [ability for] removal of adversity from you or [for its] transfer [to someone else]."