Dispose of it

Q 1: Is looking after the orphan that the Messenger (peace be upon him) recommended include an orphan who lost one of his parents but has a constant source for his provision meaning he is not in need because he has a grandfather, a grandmother, or some relatives that give him affection? Conversely, did the Prophet (peace be upon him) mean the Faqir (poor) orphan who has nobody to look after him or provide for him?

A: It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I and the one who looks after the orphan will be in Paradise like this and he (peace be upon him) pointed with his index and middle fingers separating them slightly. (Related by Al-Bukhari). An orphan is the young child whose father passed away. Moreover, the person who looks after the orphan is someone who takes care of the orphan's affairs and needs. Orphans are described as such until they become of age; a description that does not vanish with the existence of someone to look after the orphan. However, the order to look after the orphan terminates if the latter is being looked after by his grandfather, and so on.