Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise," showing his middle and index fingers and separating them.
Hadith Commentary - Sahih al-Bukhari 5304
This noble hadith from the Book of Divorce in Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the immense virtue and spiritual reward for caring for orphans, whom Allah has placed under His special protection.
The Gesture Explained
The Prophet's gesture with his index and middle fingers indicates the closeness between him and the orphan's guardian in Paradise. Just as these two fingers are neighbors, so too will be their stations in the eternal gardens.
Spiritual Significance
This proximity to the Prophet in the Hereafter is among the highest honors a believer can attain. It signifies that caring for orphans is not merely charity but an act that brings one nearer to the Messenger of Allah himself.
The orphan, having lost worldly support, finds in the Muslim community the compassion Islam mandates. Whoever fulfills this duty earns divine pleasure and prophetic companionship.
Practical Implications
This hadith encourages Muslims to actively seek out and support orphans through financial provision, emotional care, and proper upbringing. The reward is not limited to blood relations but extends to all orphans within the Muslim community.
Scholars emphasize that this includes ensuring their religious education, protecting their wealth, and treating them with the same kindness one would show one's own children.