It has been reported on the authority of Abu Dharr (RA) that the Messenger of of Allah (ﷺ) said: Abu Dharr, I find that thou art weak and I like for thee what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons and do not manage the property of an orphan.
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
(1) The guardianship of an orphan’s wealth is a very great responsibility, in which there is no risk of resistance or supervision from the other party. Therefore, it demands utmost compassion, fear of Allah, and even self-sacrifice. Not every person is of such a rank; thus, haste or volunteering for it has been discouraged. However, if someone is compelled to take on this responsibility, then he must fulfill it. Whoever cannot meet its requirements should decline it.
(2) “Weak” means that your qualities of leadership, authority, and headship are weak. Later events proved this, for example: differing in opinion from all the Companions, differing with the Rightly Guided Caliph, and his stance on keeping wealth and establishing the public treasury (bayt al-mal) was distinct from all the Companions. On this basis, he had to spend the last days of his life in Rabadhah. Although he was an extremely ascetic and pious person, leadership is a different matter. It is not necessary that a person who is extremely pious is equally qualified for leadership and authority; therefore, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade him from leadership.
(3) “Do not become a guardian,” because a person who does not believe in keeping wealth at all may, in that same zeal, give away the orphan’s wealth in charity. Radi Allahu anhu wa ardaahu.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 3697
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
Undoubtedly, becoming the guardian, judge, or leader of a people, and likewise being the caretaker and responsible party for an orphan, is a position of severe accountability in the eyes of the people and, moreover, in the sight of Allah.
Whoever takes on these responsibilities should not fall short in fulfilling the rights of the people and the rights of Allah.
And whoever finds himself weak (incapable), he should excuse himself from such a responsibility from the very beginning, so that he is not disgraced in this world and the Hereafter.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 2868