Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill treated. I and the guardian of the orphan will be in the Garden like that," indicating his two fingers.
Hadith Text & Context
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill treated. I and the guardian of the orphan will be in the Garden like that," indicating his two fingers.
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 137
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith establishes the immense virtue of caring for orphans and the severe warning against their mistreatment. The Prophet ﷺ begins by contrasting the best and worst Muslim households based solely on their treatment of orphans, elevating this act to a fundamental measure of a home's spiritual quality.
The phrase "well treated" encompasses providing physical care, emotional kindness, proper education, and preserving their dignity and wealth. "Ill treated" includes neglect, abuse, exploitation of their property, or causing them emotional harm.
The climax of the hadith is the unparalleled promise: the guardian who properly cares for an orphan will be in Paradise in the company of the Prophet ﷺ himself. The gesture with two fingers signifies their close proximity - like two inseparable companions. This indicates the highest possible rank in Paradise, reserved for those who emulate the Prophet's mercy toward society's most vulnerable.
Practical Implications
Scholars derive that caring for orphans is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) upon the Muslim community. The guardian must manage the orphan's wealth with utmost integrity, spending only what is necessary and proper for their upbringing.
This teaching extends beyond blood relations to include community orphans. Even showing kindness, patting an orphan's head, or giving a small gift earns tremendous reward. The household that embraces orphans becomes blessed and receives divine protection.
Conversely, those who mistreat orphans invite divine wrath. The warning is severe because exploiting the vulnerable demonstrates hardness of heart and distance from the prophetic example of compassion.