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
قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا
Say, "Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way."
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَىٰهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا
Whoever should desire the immediate - We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.
أَوْ تَكُونَ لَكَ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَعِنَبٍ فَتُفَجِّرَ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرَ خِلَـٰلَهَا تَفْجِيرًا
Or [until] you have a garden of palm trees and grapes and make rivers gush forth within them in force [and abundance]
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.