Using the Properties of Orphans in Business and Lending

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from Asbat ibn Salim who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, that my brother has told me to ask you about the assets of an orphan who is under his (my brother’s) guardianship and he uses the assets of the orphan in business. He (the Imam) said, ‘If your brother’s assets are sufficient to cover the assets of the orphan in case it is destroyed, it is permissible; otherwise, it is not permissible and he must not hassle with the assets of the orphan.’”