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wa-l-yakhsha lladhīna law tarakū min khalfihim dhurriyyatan ḍiʿāfan khāfū ʿalayhim fa-l-yattaqū llāha wa-l-yaqūlū qawlan sadīdan
Let those fear [the result of mistreating orphans] who, were they to leave behind weak offspring, would be concerned on their account. So let them be wary of Allah, and let them speak upright words.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah An-Nisa',Verse 9
9. "And let those fear who, if they left behind them weakly children, would fear on their account, so let them be in awe of Allah, and let them speak right words."
As the Islamic literature denotes, devouring the wealth of orphans has reflections both in this world and in the coming world. In this world, as the verse indicates, the damage reaches to the offsprings, and in the Hereafter, there will be the Hell Fire (which is referred to in the next verse).3 The meaning of the verse may refer to the prohibition of abnormal donations and bequests that they bequeath or remit the whole property they have lest their small and weak children be left in poverty and misfortune after their death.4
Again, the verse may work as a recommendation to those who have handicapped offspring in order that, by proper planning, they would provide for their future.5
Explanations
1. We must substitute the conditions of others with those of ours, to recognize the pains and difficulties better.
We ought to treat the orphans with a manner that we like our orphans to be treated with it.
2. Whoever does a wrong action, he himself will receive its fruit.
Transgression against the orphans of other people today will appear in the form of a custom in the society tomorrow, and it will involve our own orphans, too.
3. In methods of propagation, affections and innate dispositions should be utilized, too.
4. Beside providing food and clothing, the orphans are in need of love, affection, and guidance.
5. There should be neither treachery in the property of the orphans, nor shortcoming in their training, nor harshness in speech to them.
Footnotes