QUR'AN...

QUR'AN: And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such (other) women as seem good to you: We have mentioned previously that there was always a great number of orphans among the Arabs of the era of ignorance— who were seldom free from war, fighting, murder and forays, and among whom death by killing was a very common occurrence.

Usually, the leaders of tribes and people of power and influence took the orphan girls (with properties) as wives; they devoured their (i.e., the orphans') properties with their own and then behaved with them unjustly. Often they turned them out after swallowing their property; the helpless girls became poverty stricken destitute; neither they had any money to live on, nor was there anyone willing to marry and maintain them.

The Qur'an has reproached them very severely for this evil habit and disgusting injustice, and prohibited very strongly doing any injustice to orphans or devouring their property. For example, Allah says: (As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and soon they shall enter burning fire (4:10).

And give to the orphans their property, and do not substitute worthless (things) for (their) good (ones), and do not devour their property (as an addition) to your own property; this is surely a great crime (4:2). As a result, the Muslims reportedly became afraid for their own souls and were so panic-stricken that they turned out the orphans from their own homes in apprehension, lest they inadvertently do something wrong with those orphans' property or fail to give them their just dues.

If someone kept an orphan with him, he set apart the orphan's share in food and drink; if the orphan could not finish it, nobody else would touch it — it remained as it was until it was spoiled. It caused difficulties for the people; and they complained to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) asking for his guidance. Then Allah revealed: And they ask you concerning the orphans.

Say: "To set right for them (their affairs) is good; and if you mingle with them, they are your brethren; and Allah knows the mischief-maker from the well doer; and if Allah had willed, He would certainly have made it harder for you; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise" (2:220). Thus, Allah allowed them to give shelter to orphans and to keep them with themselves for looking after their affairs, and to mingle with them because they were their brethren.